A Portland man accused of double murder was arrested just days before for interfering with police during a protest — but the charge related to the protest was dismissed the next day, and he was released from jail, KOIN-TV reported.
What are the details?
Cassy Leaton, 22, and Najaf "Nate" Hobbs, 39, were stabbed to death June 16, and police arrested Phillip Lawrence Nelson two days later, the station said, adding that the suspect faces two murder charges and is being held without bail.
Cassy Leaton and Najaf "Nate" HobbsImage source: Portland Police Bureau
But on June 12, Nelson was arrested at a protest in downtown Portland on a misdemeanor charge of interfering with a peace officer, KOIN said, citing court records. However, that charge was dismissed the next day, the station said. Booking information indicates Nelson was released from the Multnomah County Detention Center.
This summer, Portland protesters routinely have been released in such a fashion following their arrests. As the Oregonian reported:
Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt has said his office won't pursue demonstrators accused of interfering with police and disorderly conduct, among other charges, if the allegations don't involve "deliberate'' property damage, theft or force against another person, or threats of force.
As for the murders, KOIN reported that they may have stemmed from an ongoing dispute between the suspect and victims. Leaton and Hobbs' roommate told police they were renting a unit in a fourplex from Nelson, who claimed to be the owner of the building, the station said, citing court records. But when the three roommates learned Nelson actually was squatting there, the trio changed the locks to their unit, which angered Nelson, KOIN reported, citing records.
No comments:
Post a Comment