State of Washington, Respondent v. Anthony Cossman, Appellant

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION II
STATE OF WASHINGTON, 	No. 59748-9-II
Respondent,
v.
UNPUBLISHED OPINION
ANTHONY CLEMENS COSSMAN,
Appellant.
P RICE, 	J. 	— 	This 	case 	raises 	precisely 	the 	same 	legal 	issues 	resolved 	in
our 	recent 	decision, 	State 	v. 	Lockhart, 	No. 	59738-1, 	slip 	op. 	(Wash. 	June 	3, 	2025),
https://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/pdf/D2%2059738-1-II%20Published%20Opinion.pdf. 	We
follow that decision here and affirm.
This case and Lockhart share a similar factual background. 	Following his arrest for
criminal charges, Anthony C. Cossman showed signs that he might not be competent to stand trial.
The superior court eventually ordered that he undergo competency restoration services from the
Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) pursuant to chapter 10.77 RCW. 	DSHS,
however, was unable to admit him to Western State Hospital for services within the timeframe
ordered by the superior court. Just like the appellant in Lockhart, Cossman moved for contempt
and requested sanctions against DSHS.
The motions for contempt for both this case and Lockhart were nearly identical and were
heard by the superior court on the same day, at the same time, and from the same lawyers. For
both cases, the superior court found DSHS in contempt, but refused to impose sanctions on the
Filed
Washington State
Court of Appeals
Division Two
June 10, 2025

No. 59748-9-II
2
same grounds. 	Cossman appealed, making the same arguments as made by the appellant in
Lockhart.
On June 3, 2025, we affirmed the superior court in Lockhart. Lockhart, slip op. at 17-18.
Because the legal and factual issues are the same here, we follow our decision in Lockhart and
affirm.
A majority of the panel having determined that this opinion will not be printed in the
Washington Appellate Reports, but will be filed for public record in accordance with RCW
2.06.040, it is so ordered.
P RICE, J.
We concur:
M AXA, P.J.
C HE, J.