DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESULTED IN MURDER AND LIFE IN PRISON - 07/27/26
July 27, 2026
Portland, OR
Case: 23CR34007
On July 23, 2026, a jury found 62-year-old Vincent Scoggins guilty of Murder in the Second Degree Constituting Domestic Violence and Unlawful Use of a Weapon Constituting Domestic Violence.
On July 27, 2026 - Mr. Scoggins was sentenced. On the Murder in the Second Degree charge he received a life sentence – minimum 25 years, on the Unlawful Use of a Weapon charge he received 30 months in prison to run concurrent.
THE FACTS:
According to evidence adduced at trial, at approximately 1:30am on Monday, August 8, 2022, Vincent Scoggins called 911 saying he arrived home and found his girlfriend, Penelope “Penny” Fegan, deceased inside their residence located in the Beverly Grove Apartments. When first responders arrived, it was apparent that Fegan had been deceased for some time. There were catastrophic observable injuries to her head and evidence ultimately established that she’d been struck approximately 10-12 times with a hammer. The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office ruled that the cause of Fegan’s death was blunt force trauma to the head and the manner of her death was homicide.
The investigation revealed that Scoggins and Fegan’s relationship was marred by domestic violence. A common point of tension between them was Scoggins' abuse of methamphetamine. During prior arguments, Scoggins threatened to “bash [Fegan's] head in” and to kill her if she ever left him. Detectives learned that Scoggins relapsed and used meth the weekend before the murder and, as a result, Fegan told him she was leaving the relationship. Evidence presented at trial established that Fegan was actively making plans to move from their shared apartment when she was killed. Scoggins denied being involved in Fegan’s murder, however, and reported that he returned home and found her deceased.
This case was investigated over the course of nearly a year. Detectives pieced together Fegan’s last days and Scoggin’s movements through video surveillance, traffic cameras, phone records, and interviews with family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. They collected information that proved Scoggins had lied to detectives about multiple significant topics and that he had attempted to cover up his involvement in the crime. With the assistance of the Oregon State Police Crime Lab, DNA testing and bloodstain pattern analysis was conducted. That testing ultimately produced evidence that was crucial to establishing Scoggins’ guilt. He was then arrested and charged with the murder.
Over nearly two weeks, a Multnomah County jury heard evidence in the case and ultimately found Scoggins guilty on all charged counts.
Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Devin Franklin and Senior Deputy District Attorney Melissa Marrero prosecuted the case for the state. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the work of the Portland Police Bureau, especially the tireless efforts of lead detective Eric McDaniel and the Homicide Detail. MCDA would also like to thank the Oregon State Police Crime Lab for completing extensive forensic testing throughout this investigation and Victim Advocate Kristen Stowell for compassionately supporting Fegan’s family for nearly four years.
DDA Devin Franklin said of Fegan, “Penny Fegan was a truly good person with a bright and colorful personality. She was adored by her family, friends, and coworkers and her absence continues to be felt by those who knew and loved her. This case underscores the devastating reality of domestic violence— and the need to take any and all warning signs seriously. We were honored to advocate for justice for Penny and we hope this verdict brings some sense of peace and healing to her family.”
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
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.
Resources:
- Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office: Victim Assistance Program: 503-988-3222
- Call to Safety: 1-888-235-5333
- The Gateway Center for Domestic Violence Services: 503-988-6400
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