Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced an 88 month prison sentence for Matthew Lee Owen after a 12-person jury found him guilty of two counts of assault in the second degree in connection with an attack that happened on September 26, 2017 in downtown Portland.
The jury returned its guilty verdict on January 11, 2018. Sentencing was set over to allow for a pre-sentence investigation to be conducted.
On April 13, 2018, Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Leslie M. Roberts sentenced the defendant to 88 months in prison.
At trial, Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Todd Jackson presented evidence that showed on September 26th, 2017 at approximately 7:30 p.m., officers assigned to the Portland Police Bureau were waived down at the corner of Southwest 4th Avenue and Southwest Washington Street. There, they saw a woman on the corner screaming with a large amount of blood coming from her face.
During the trial, the jury learned that the victim, who was homeless, had been playing her guitar midblock on Southwest 4th Avenue between Southwest Washington Street and Southwest Stark Street. The victim made a mistake while playing a song, which prompted the defendant, who had been listening, to call her an explicit name. The jury heard that the victim held out her arm and wagged a finger at the defendant telling him to stop using that kind of language. The defendant then grabbed her arm and threw her to the ground.
Multiple witnesses testified that they saw the defendant repeatedly stomp the victim’s face into the pavement while she was on the ground. Evidence presented to the court showed that at the time, the defendant was wearing heavy hiking boots with a composite toe.
“This violent, unprovoked attack continued until witnesses were able to distract the defendant enough to allow the victim to escape,” said Deputy District Attorney Todd Jackson. “The victim in this case suffered extensive injuries that ultimately required facial surgery to repair. She was traumatized by what happened and the recovery for her has been difficult.”
The woman’s injuries included damaged teeth, multiple facial bones being broken, and a portion of her lower lip being completely detached.
Media: A photo of the defendant’s boot, which was entered into evidence during trial, is being included with this press release.
##MCDA##
Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Phone: 503.988.6567
Email: Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us