Sex offender sentenced to life could be set free
Sep 5, 2012, 8:17 AM | Updated: 8:38 am
Because of a State Supreme Court ruling, a convicted child molester sentenced in Snohomish County to life in prison could soon be set free.
The jury that convicted Michael Gresham in 2008 heard evidence of previous sex offenses, ten years earlier. Normally, that’s not allowed because introducing evidence of previous crimes is considered prejudicial. But state legislators changed the law to help crack down on sex crimes.
Upon review, the state Supreme Court ruled the Legislature didn’t have the authority to make the change and deemed the new law unconstitutional.
The Herald reports that statewide, eight defendants won new trials, including Gresham. Snohomish County prosecutors decided to reduce his charge. When he’s sentenced next week, instead of life in prison as a two strikes convict, Gresham will likely get credit for the four years he’s served awaiting his appeal and be released.
