November 8, 2019
Deshaun Marcel receives 180 months prison sentence for violently beating, raping and sexually assaulting a woman in NE Portland
Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced that 25-year-old Deshaun Marcel received a 180 month prison sentence after he violently beat, strangled, raped and sexually assaulted a woman at a residence in Portland’s King neighborhood.
"I was horrified," the victim said Friday during Marcel's sentencing hearing. "I was screaming for my life, banging on the walls, hoping that neighbors would call 9-1-1 to help me. He has no remorse and doesn't belong in society."
This investigation started on April 22, 2018 when the victim reported to family, friends and law enforcement that Marcel held her against her will inside her residence and forcibly sexually assaulted her while choking her to the point of unconsciousness. The victim and Marcel are known to each other.
The attack happened while the victim’s daughter slept in a bedroom feet from the attack.
“The victim in this case made it clear to our office that she wanted a prison sentence for Mr. Marcel for the senseless and predatory abuse and trauma he violently inflicted upon her,” said Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney David Hannon, who litigated this case. “Mr. Marcel violated the sanctity and the security of the victim’s residence. The violence exhibited by him was extraordinary.”
On September 6, 2019, Marcel changed his plea, the day his trial was supposed to start. The court convicted him of one count of rape in the first degree constituting domestic violence, two counts of sodomy in the first degree constituting domestic violence, two counts of sexual abuse in the first degree constituting domestic violence and one count of strangulation constituting domestic violence.
As stated in court documents, the author of the pre-sentence investigation in this case recommended a sentence of 200 months in prison, which the state concurred with.
By changing his plea, Marcel stipulated there is sufficient evidence in this case that a judge or jury could have found him guilty at trial.
“The victim in this case truly is a survivor in every sense,” SDDA Hannon said. “Her fortitude is a testament to who she is as a person. The support network she has will be instrumental in allowing her to move on from this horrible chapter in her life.”
Upon his release, Marcel will be on post-prison supervision for a period of no less than 12 years. He will also have to register as a sex offender.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office recognizes Portland Police Detective Ross Dormady and the Portland Police Bureau’s Sex Crimes Unit for their dedicated efforts investigating this case. The District Attorney’s Office also recognizes Victim Advocate Vanessa Palacios for the advocacy and support she provided the victim throughout this investigation.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Unit is committed to ending family abuse. The unit engages in evidence-based prosecution of domestic violence. It emphasizes the importance of victim advocacy services for all victims and their children. Even when a prosecutor decides to proceed with a case without a victim’s participation, every effort is made to offer the victim advocacy services from available resources.
Resources:
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Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Phone: 503.988.6567 | Email: Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us