TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — Pierce County prosecutors are using a 35-year-old state law in their battle against Tacoma’s Hilltop Crips gang.
Earlier this month, criminal conspiracy charges were filed against 32 alleged gang members. Prosecuting Attorney Mark Lindquist says it could be the first time the law was used against gang crimes on this scale.
State law says it’s conspiracy when someone agrees with at least one other person to commit a crime, and steps are then taken toward doing so. A person can be convicted even if he or she does not take part in the actual crime.
Defense attorneys have asked the court to order prosecutors to provide facts that allegedly support a conspiracy.
