January 27, 2023
PORTLAND, Oregon – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt released a list of cases impacted by the public defense crisis. The data set includes cases dismissed by the court as a result of the crisis.
In November, DA Mike Schmidt called the public defense crisis, defined by a lack of public defenders to provide counsel to defendants, an urgent threat to public safety. Individuals suspected of a crime have the constitutional right to defense counsel. Victims have a right to justice. Absent counsel, criminal prosecutions cannot lawfully move forward and issued cases are routinely dismissed over prosecutor’s objections.
DA Schmidt also declared that his office would publish cases impacted by the crisis each week to advance the public’s understanding of the scope of the crisis. Here is a breakdown of the types of felonies getting dismissed.
There was 1 case dismissed by the court as a result of the public defense crisis between 1/20/2023 and 1/26/2023:
22-CR-49110
#MCDA#
January 20, 2022
PORTLAND, Oregon – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt released a list of cases impacted by the public defense crisis. The data set includes cases dismissed by the court as a result of the crisis.
In November, DA Mike Schmidt called the public defense crisis, defined by a lack of public defenders to provide counsel to defendants, an urgent threat to public safety. Individuals suspected of a crime have the constitutional right to defense counsel. Victims have a right to justice. Absent counsel, criminal prosecutions cannot lawfully move forward and issued cases are routinely dismissed over prosecutor’s objections.
DA Schmidt also declared that his office would publish cases impacted by the crisis each week to advance the public’s understanding of the scope of the crisis. Here is a breakdown of the types of felonies getting dismissed.
There were five cases dismissed by the court as a result of the public defense crisis between 1/13/2023 and 1/19/2023:
| 22-CR-31505 | ||
| 22-CR-50926 | ||
| 22-CR-43481 | ||
| 21-CR-39720 | ||
| 22-CR-45032 |
#MCDA#
January 13, 2023
Elisabeth.Shepard@mcda.us
Elisabeth Shepard, Communications Director
PORTLAND, Oregon – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that a Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge sentenced Michael Lee Dizer, 65, to 10 years in prison on four charges including two counts of Robbery in the Second Degree, Aggravated Theft in the First Degree, and Theft in the First Degree.
The charges stem from multiple incidents during the month of September 2021.
On September 5, 2021 Dizer unlawfully entered the office of the Ambassador Restaurant & Lounge located on Northeast Sandy Boulevard. Dizer entered the office of the restaurant and threatened an employee with a replica handgun while instructing her to open a safe which contained money. He then instructed her to put the money into bank bags he had laid out. Dizer instructed her to open a second safe located in the office at the time, however, the employee did not know the combination. Dizer told the employee she could call the police but needed to remain in the office until he vacated the restaurant. An estimated $20,000 was stolen from the safe.
On September 7, 2021 Dizer entered The New 715 Inn on Northeast Broadway Street. He approached the counter and demanded money for his Rip ticket from an employee. The employee took his ticket and walked to the register. As she did so, Dizer approached her from behind and brandished a replica handgun. He then stated “this is not worth your life,” and instructed her to give him money from the register. He moved the employee away from the register and began to put money into a bank bag. He then instructed her to take money out of slot machines located in the business and put the money into bank bags. Dizer then vacated the business. An estimated $2,000 was stolen from the establishment.
On September 9, 2021 an employee from the Ambassador Restaurant & Lounge received an anonymous tip that Dizer was the individual that robbed their business two days prior. Subsequent investigation including video surveillance and incriminating comments made by Dizer regarding the robberies to witnesses lead to his arrest.
“Small businesses in our community do not deserve to operate under threat. Mr. Dizer violated individual employees, simply doing their jobs, and stole significant revenue. His actions were violent, terrifying, and unacceptable. I am grateful to the jury for rendering justice and the judge's sentence that followed,” Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Julian Samuels stated.
#MCDA#
January 13, 2022
Elisabeth Shepard, Communications Director
PORTLAND, Oregon – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt released a list of cases impacted by the public defense crisis. The data set includes cases dismissed by the court as a result of the crisis.
In November, DA Mike Schmidt called the public defense crisis, defined by a lack of public defenders to provide counsel to defendants, an urgent threat to public safety. Individuals suspected of a crime have the constitutional right to defense counsel. Victims have a right to justice. Absent counsel, criminal prosecutions cannot lawfully move forward and issued cases are routinely dismissed over prosecutor’s objections.
DA Schmidt also declared that his office would publish cases impacted by the crisis each week to advance the public’s understanding of the scope of the crisis. Here is a breakdown of the types of felonies getting dismissed.
There were eight cases dismissed by the court as a result of the public defense crisis between 1/3 and 1/13.
21-CR-51375
19-CR-74294
20-CR-19171
22-CR-27615
22-CR-49971
22-CR-42934
22-CR-24068
21-CR-61067
#MCDA#
January 11, 2023
Elisabeth Shepard, Communications Director
PORTLAND, Oregon – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that Parrish Riggins, 60, has been arraigned on six charges including Attempt Murder in the First and Second Degree with a Firearm, Assault in the First Degree with a Firearm, Robbery in the First Degree with a Firearm, Unlawful Use of a Weapon with a Firearm, and Delivery of Methamphetamine.
The charges stem from an incident on January 1, at the Max Mart Deli on East Burnside. Riggins and the victim were allegedly in a physical altercation in front of the Deli. The victim began to walk away when Riggins allegedly shot him in the leg with a firearm. The victim then ran to the West side of the building, then the South. Riggins allegedly followed the victim and discharged two more gunshots. Another man known to Riggins, later identified as Jacob Argue, 26, was also present for the incident. Riggins then allegedly instructed Argue to take the victim’s backpack. The two then ran across the street to the Blackburn Center where Riggins allegedly emptied the backpack and took the belongings inside of it.
Portland police officers responded to the scene. While taking a witness report, they identified Argue as he exited the Blackburn Center. Officers then made contact with Argue and found he had a pending warrant for his arrest for charges related to a stolen vehicle and placed him under arrest. Officers then identified Riggins as he exited the Blackburn Center and placed him under arrest. The firearm used in the shooting was found on his person as well as twenty grams of Methamphetamine and suspected fentanyl.
Argue then reported the series of events that occurred to law enforcement, including that Riggins was the shooter and that the altercation between Riggins and the victim was related to money owed, and that Riggins pistol-whipped the victim. He further reported he complied with Riggins's instructions during the incident out of fear. The incident was also captured on video surveillance.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office has filed charges, including an offense for which Oregon law permits pretrial detention, and is requesting that Riggins remain in custody and be held without bail.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Riggins is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
#MCDA#
January 6, 2023
Elisabeth Shepard, Communications Director
PORTLAND, Oregon – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that Damariae Reginald Haqq, 20, has been arraigned for Murder in the Second Degree and Unlawful Use of a Weapon with a Firearm.
The charges stem from an incident in November 2022, at a hotel off Northeast 82nd Avenue. Port of Portland Police responded to the incident. The victim suffered multiple fatal gunshot wounds.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Haqq is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
#MCDA#
January 5, 2023
Elisabeth Shepard, Communications Director
PORTLAND, Oregon – Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that Travis Raymond Helms, 37, was arraigned on five charges including Murder in the First Degree, two counts of Murder in the Second Degree, Robbery in the First Degree, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
The charges stem from an incident in October 2022, in the parking lot of a department store off Southeast 148th Avenue and Southeast Division Street. Helms allegedly shot the victim. The victim was transported to an area hospital and passed away as a result of the gunshot wound a week after the incident. Video surveillance confirmed the incident.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Helms is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
#MCDA#
January 5, 2023
Elisabeth Shepard, Communications Director
PORTLAND, Oregon – Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that Cameron David Storer, 25, was arraigned on four charges including two counts of Arson in the First Degree, one count of Arson in the Second Degree, and two counts of Burglary in the Second Degree.
The charges stem from an incident in the early evening of Tuesday, January 3, at a building off Northwest 10th Avenue, which was previously the Portland Korean Church. The church was vacant for a decade prior to the incident. Portland Fire and Rescue were dispatched to the church at approximately 5:24 pm after multiple reports that the building was on fire and arrived on the scene six minutes later. By 5:40 pm the south side of the church had partially collapsed immediately followed by the roof. A neighboring home was evacuated, and it was later determined that the exterior of the home ignited as a result. Response and suppression of the fire required extensive resources including 12 fire engines, six ladder trucks, four battalion chiefs, and 75 Portland Fire and Rescue Personnel.
On Wednesday, January 4, Storer entered the Multnomah County Detention Center and confessed to setting the fire. Storer stated that they wanted to “take credit” for the fire and shared a series of details about the incident during a subsequent interview with law enforcement including that they set the fire with a Bic lighter. Storer stated that they heard voices in their head saying they would “mutilate” Storer if they did not burn the church down and that they had planned it up to one day in advance. Storer also reported taking approximately 10 oxycodone daily due to a previous injury and that they had a history of schizophrenia. Throughout the interview, Storer asked to be referred to as “Nicolette”.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office has filed charges, including an offense for which Oregon law permits pretrial detention, and is requesting that Storer remain in custody and be held without bail.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Storer is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
#MCDA#
January 4, 2023
Elisabeth Shepard, Communications Director
PORTLAND, Oregon – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that Koryn Daniel Kraemer, 25, has been charged with Assault in the Second Degree.
The charge stems from an incident shortly after 2:00 am on January 3, on the Cleveland TriMet MAX platform area off Northeast 8th Street in Gresham. Kraemer allegedly approached a man, 78, at the platform and physically attacked him. Kraemer allegedly bit and chewed off the victim’s ear and some skin in the area of the victim’s ear and face.
Gresham police officers and Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the incident and arrested Kraemer. In a subsequent interview with law enforcement, Kraemer stated that he believed the victim was a “robot” trying to kill him based on how the victim smelled. Kraemer further stated that he spit out the flesh of the victim that he had consumed and that the responding law enforcement had saved his life by separating him from “the robot”. He admitted to consuming alcohol, cannabis, and fentanyl pills.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office has filed charges, including an offense for which Oregon law permits pretrial detention, and is requesting that Kraemer remain in custody and be held without bail.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Kraemer is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
#MCDA#
January 3, 2023
Elisabeth Shepard, Communications Director
PORTLAND, Oregon – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that Samuel Perkins, Malik Hares, and Wayne Chen, each 18 years old, were indicted by a Multnomah County grand jury on 14 charges including three counts of Arson in the First Degree, six counts of Arson in the Second Degree, four counts of Reckless Burning and one count of Unlawful Possession of a Destructive Device.
See the previously released summary of facts here. Investigators found evidence of Chen’s involvement in the alleged incidents in the intervening months from the initial charges in this case. The alleged arson spanned several areas in Southeast Portland, including but not limited to Mount Tabor Park, and one area in Northeast Portland.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Hares, Perkins and Chen are innocent unless and until proven guilty.
#MCDA#
December 30, 2022
Elisabeth Shepard, Communications Director
Elisabeth.Shepard@mcda.us
PORTLAND, Oregon – Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that JJ Ben, 28 pled guilty to Robbery in the Second Degree with a Firearm and Felony Attempt to Elude on Thursday, December 29. A Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge sentenced him to 60 months in prison.
In January 2022, Ben committed a series of robberies in Vancouver, Washington. He subsequently crossed state lines into Oregon. Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA) alerted Portland law enforcement to an incoming red Jeep Patriot, occupied by Ben, responsible for robberies in the Vancouver area. A Portland Police detective responded by driving in the area of North Portland, in anticipation of a potential threat to public safety.
Moments later, dispatch alerted the detective of a reported robbery in the area of Northeast Martin Luther King Boulevard and Northeast Mason Street. Ben drove up to a woman walking to her vehicle. She became concerned and entered her car and locked the doors. Ben then exited his vehicle and attempted to open the woman’s driver’s side door, which was locked. He then pointed a firearm at her, later found to be unloaded, and demanded her purse. The victim handed over her wallet, which was attached to her phone. The victim then used her “Find My Phone” application and relayed its location to responding Portland Police officers.
Officers located the red Jeep Patriot in the area of North Terry Street and North Kerby Avenue. When officers turned on their lights and sirens, Ben began driving the Jeep at a rate of 50-60 miles in an attempt to elude police before crashing into another vehicle at the intersection of North Lombard Street and North Commercial Avenue. Officers then took Ben into custody. Portland police returned the stolen items to the female victim. Ben will serve 60 months for his Washington charges concurrently.
“Mr. Ben intentionally placed his robbery victims in fear for their lives and recklessly endangered the lives of motorists and pedestrians during his elude. Mr. Ben’s series of robberies came to a swift end thanks to the quick actions of the victim, the Vancouver Police Department, and the Portland Police Bureau, Deputy District Attorney Eric Palmer said.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office thanks the members of the Portland Police Bureau, CRESA, and the Vancouver Police Department for their work on this case.
#MCDA#
December 30, 2022
Elisabeth Shepard, Communications Director
PORTLAND, Oregon – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced a new policy aimed to help eradicate discrimination of protected classes in jury selection has been adopted by his office. Oregon law recognizes race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, and national origin as protected classes.
The policy clarifies how the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office (MCDA) applies the findings of Batson v. Kentucky, in the aftermath of the Oregon Court of Appeals’ decision in State v. McWoods, which established that a prosecutor's use of a peremptory challenge, in a criminal case—meaning the dismissal of jurors without stating a valid cause for doing so—may not be used to exclude jurors based solely on their race. The McWoods decision failed to clarify how prosecutors should best achieve this purpose when the state, following Batson, offered multiple race-neutral justifications for the excusal of jurors in the trial against Mr. McWoods.
The Oregon Supreme Court denied an appeal filed by the state earlier this December, only two days from the anniversary of the death of the child victim in the McWoods case.
“I am disappointed with the Oregon Supreme Court’s denial of the McWoods appeal. The McWoods decision has created confusion in the law that our prosecutors are struggling to navigate. Further clarification from the highest court on behalf of the state and defense on a topic this important in the administration of justice is sorely lacking. We will move forward with re-prosecuting the underlying child homicide case in this matter as we continue to offer support to the victim’s family,” DA Mike Schmidt stated.
The policy considers a range of applicable case laws that articulate the misgivings of removing a juror from a protected class without cause. It instructs attorneys that, in the event that a no-cause removal is necessary, they must prepare a comparative juror analysis which entails determining whether a race-neutral reason that a party offers for eliminating a prospective juror also applies to one or more prospective jurors whom the party did not strike.
The policy originated from MCDA's attorney staff in early 2022, prior to the McWoods decision. Senior Deputy District Attorney Amanda Nadell and Deputy District Attorney Megan Axley-Irinaga led the charge in drafting the policy and advocating for its adoption.
“I entrust Senior Deputy District Attorney Amanda Nadell with the task of training incoming attorneys in our office, due in part to her commitment to fairness and racial equity and due to her legal acumen. When she came to me with this proposal, I knew it was imperative to enshrine MCDA’s legacy of eradicating discrimination on the basis of race, gender, and other protected classes in the criminal justice system and swiftly adopted it,” DA Schmidt stated.
#MCDA#
December 30, 2022
Communications Director, Elisabeth Shepard
Elisabeth.Shepard@mcda.us
PORTLAND, Oregon – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced the release of the 2022 Multnomah County Corrections Grand Jury Report.
This year’s Corrections Grand Jury (CGJ) focused on a wide scope of issues including but not limited to programming, facility maintenance, Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), Safety and Grievance Procedure, Staffing, Medical Services, Food, Laundry, Prevalence of Controlled Substances, the facility staffing, whole person services acknowledging the impact cycles of incarceration and recidivism, equity and inclusion, facilities capital improvement, juvenile programming with an emphasis on trauma-informed approaches, the role of Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), pandemic response, food, and assisting defense attorneys in obtaining signatures from Adults in Custody (AIC).
“As we continue to persist through the COVID-19 pandemic, the Corrections Grand Jury report remains paramount to both understanding and advancing the effectiveness of local corrections facilities, not as punitive institutions but as venues for rehabilitation and healing despite our external challenges. I am committed to collaborating with county partners and impacted communities to continue integrating the recommendations of the CGJ,” said Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt.
The CGJ convened for several weeks to collect information and to prepare a report on the condition and management of the four correctional facilities located in Multnomah County. This year, the CGJ was able to physically tour each of the four correctional facilities located within Multnomah County.
A full copy of the grand jury report, in compliance with ORS 132.440, is included in this release.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office recognizes the seven grand jurors for their dedicated efforts. Furthermore, we recognize Multnomah County Deputy District Attorneys Travis Sewell and Jeffrey Lowe for assisting and advising this grand jury.
#MCDA#
December 30, 2022
Elisabeth Shepard, Communications Director
PORTLAND, Oregon – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt released a list of cases impacted by the public defense crisis. The data set includes cases dismissed by judges and the number of cases set over to a future date due to a lack of defense counsel.
In November, DA Mike Schmidt called the public defense crisis, defined by a lack of public defenders to provide counsel to defendants, an urgent threat to public safety. Individuals suspected of a crime have the constitutional right to defense counsel. Victims have a right to justice. Absent counsel, criminal prosecutions cannot lawfully move forward and issued cases are routinely dismissed over prosecutor’s objections.
DA Schmidt also declared that his office would publish cases impacted by the crisis each week to advance the public’s understanding of the scope of the crisis. Here is a breakdown of the types of felonies getting dismissed.
There were 67 cases set over between 12/16 and 12/29. There were five cases dismissed in the same date range.
Dismissed cases 12/16 - 12/29:
21CR51693
22CR17875
22CR48210
22CR48451
22CR19794
#MCDA#