September 12, 2024

Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt today announced that Adam Jamal Burns, 30, was sentenced by a Multnomah County Circuit Court judge to 23 years in prison in relation to the April 2023 domestic violence homicide of April Newcombe Cripe in inner-East Portland. 

Case Facts

On April 15, 2023, Portland Police Bureau responded to the area of 5001 SE 30th Avenue near Reed College in regards to a deceased female who was found shot to death in front of a unit at the Wimbledon Square Apartments. The victim was identified as April Newcombe Cripe, who lived at the complex with her children. In the aftermath of the shooting, her two young children were located safe inside the apartment by law enforcement. 

The subsequent investigation led law enforcement to Burns, the victim’s husband and the father of her two children. The victim had expressed concerns about Burns killing her or having her killed, and he had been seen in his vehicle around the apartments in the days preceding the murder. A vehicle matching one owned by Burns was seen on the complex’s video surveillance minutes before police were called. The gun involved in the shooting was recovered and linked to Burns.

Plea and Sentencing

Senior Deputy District Attorney Robin Skarstad, Senior Deputy District Attorney Kevin Demer, and Deputy District Attorney Alex Hargrove represented the state in this case. On August 22, 2024, Burns entered guilty pleas before the Honorable Judge Jenna Plank and was today sentenced by Judge Plank to 23 years. He has been transferred into the custody of the Oregon Department of Corrections, where he will remain for the duration of his sentence.

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the impact that this homicide has had on the children, family, and friends of the victim. We appreciate all who contributed to the resolution of this case, with a special acknowledgement of PPB detectives Jennifer Hertzler and Joseph Corona, MCDA investigators Melinda Franklin, Matthew Estes, and Heather Hughes and MCDA victim advocate Alie Aguilera for their dedicated work.

#MCDA#