Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt today announced that a Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge sentenced Moses Jacob Lopez, 30, to 22 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of a Radio Cab driver in April 2023.
Incident
On April 9, 2023, at approximately 6:41 p.m., Portland Police officers from the Central Precinct responded to a report of a stabbing near the intersection of Southeast Washington Street and Southeast Water Avenue. When officers arrived, they found the driver of a Radio Cab, later identified as 43-year-old Reese McDowell Lawhon, deceased in his vehicle. Detectives obtained the surveillance video from inside the Radio Cab, which revealed that the passenger, Moses Lopez, stabbed the victim in the neck.
Emergency medical responders who arrived at the scene prior to police arrival witnessed Lopez exiting the Radio Cab with clothing that appeared to be marked with blood and dropping what appeared to be brass-style knuckles with an attached blade. Because Lopez remained in the ambulance after being treated for minor injuries, officers were able to arrest Lopez on scene. Lopez was booked into custody in Multnomah County at 12:56 a.m. on April 10, 2023.
Plea & Sentencing
Deputy District Attorney Kristen Kyle-Castelli represented the state in this case, which resulted in a negotiated plea agreement with the defendant and his counsel. Lopez pled guilty this morning to one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree and one count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon. Judge Heidi Moawad accepted the plea and imposed the 22-year prison sentence today.
Lopez is currently in custody in Multnomah County and will be transported to the custody of the Oregon Department of Corrections to serve the 22-year sentence.
The DA’s Office thanks PPB Detective Shaye Samora and the officers who assisted with this case. DA’s Office staff also acknowledge the victim’s family, as well as his friends and colleagues at Radio Cab, and hope that today’s sentencing brings some closure that will allow the healing process to continue.
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