AP-OR–2nd Right Now/1181
CRIME LAB INVESTIGATION
State crime lab scientist pleads guilty to stealing drugs
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)
BEND, Ore. (AP) — A forensic scientist at the Oregon State Police crime labs has admitted stealing hundreds of pills from evidence submitted to the labs over two years.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports 36-year-old Nika Larsen pleaded guilty Monday in U.S. District Court to two counts of charges of obtaining a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud and deception.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office says Larsen used her position to steal methamphetamine, morphine, and other drugs.
Oregon State Police launched an investigation in April 2015 after a forensic scientist in the Bend lab found 18 oxycodone pills were missing. Investigators found some pills were missing, partially missing or had been replaced with non-controlled substances — all in cases handled by Larsen.
The prosecution and defense are recommending Larsen receive a 3-year prison sentence when she’s sentenced in December.
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OREGON KILLING-THE LATEST
The Latest: Oregon man hit with 4 counts aggravated murder
BEND, Oregon (AP) — A man held in jail in California in relation to crimes there has now been charged with four counts of aggravated murder in central Oregon following the killing of a young woman.
Court documents say Edwin Lara, who had already been charged with murder in the death of Kaylee Sawyer, is now charged with the elevated counts.
The indictment says Lara “did unlawfully and intentionally attempt to commit the crime of Sexual Abuse” in the attack on Sawyer, 23, of Bend, Oregon.
The Deschutes County District Attorney says a conviction for aggravated murder carries a maximum penalty of death.
TENANT KILLED
Milwaukie landlord cleared in tenant’s shooting death
(Information from: KOIN-TV, http://www.koin.com/)
MILWUAKIE, Ore. (AP) — A grand jury has decided not to bring charges against a Milwaukie landlord who was arrested after calling 911 to report that he had shot his tenant.
The jury’s verdict Monday means a pending murder charge against 66-year-old Gerald Miller will be dropped and he’ll be released from custody.
Miller tells KOIN-TV from the Clackamas County Jail that he acted in self-defense when he killed 52-year-old Ricky Pineda McKowen on Aug. 7.
Miller says he had been trying to evict McKowen, who was living in his basement, when his tenant became angry, started banging on his door and threatened to kill him.
Miller says he retrieved a gun and fired because he was fearful for his life.
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ATTORNEY ARRESTED
Crook County deputy district attorney arrested near Stayton
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Officials say a deputy district attorney in Crook County has been arrested for investigation of fleeing from a deputy who tried to pull him over for speeding.
Twenty-nine-year-old Matthew Reiner was booked into jail Monday on suspicion of attempting to elude police in a vehicle and on foot. He was later released.
Crook County District Attorney Daina Vitolins says Reiner has been placed on administrative leave.
Authorities say a Marion County sheriff’s deputy had tried to pull over Reiner Sunday night when he caught him speeding on Highway 22.
Authorities say Reiner took off, and the deputy later found his vehicle abandoned in a driveway near Stayton.
Deputies eventually caught up with Reiner after a resident of the property called to report a man looking for his car.
COAL EXPORT TERMINAL
Wyoming Governor criticizes Oregon coal port ruling
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Officials in Wyoming and Montana are weighing how to respond to last week’s ruling by an Oregon judge that rejected the states’ claims that federal interstate commerce protections should ensure them access to a proposed terminal on the Columbia River to export coal to Asia.
Trial is set for November for continuing appeals on whether the building the terminal would hurt Oregon’s water resources, including tribal fishing grounds. Wyoming and Montana could appeal the judge’s interstate commerce ruling following the trial.
Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead says he’s disappointed with the judge’s decision. He says coal is a critical economic driver for his state and the nation.
Montana Gov. Steve Bullock says the ruling underscores the importance of having a balanced state energy plan to deal with events outside state control.
RANCHING STANDOFF-RITZHEIMER
Oregon refuge defendant Jon Ritzheimer pleads guilty
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — An ex-Marine who was part of the initial convoy that overtook a national wildlife refuge has pleaded guilty.
In federal court in Portland, Jon Ritzheimer admitted to a judge Monday that he conspired with Ammon Bundy and others to prevent Interior Department employees from doing their jobs at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Gabriel said prosecutors will recommend 2 ½ years in prison when the Arizona man is sentenced in May.
Ritzheimer was one of the higher-profile occupiers, known for an emotional video in which he explains to his daughters why he can’t be home for the holidays. He said it was because “daddy swore an oath” to defend the Constitution.
Before coming to Oregon, he made news by organizing protests outside a Phoenix mosque and threatening to arrest a U.S. senator for supporting the Iran nuclear deal.
LAVOY FINICUM STEER
Roseburg boy names prize steer after slain refuge occupier
(Information from: The News-Review, http://www.nrtoday.com)
ROSEBURG, Ore. (AP) — A 10-year-old Roseburg boy has honored one of the occupiers of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge by naming his prize-winning steer after him.
The News-Review reports that a 1,030-pound black Maine-Anjou named LaVoy Finicum earned third-place at the Douglas County Fair. The steer is named after Robert “LaVoy” Finicum, the Arizona rancher killed by law enforcement during the occupation. In March officials declared the shooting justified.
The steer was named by Ryley Schneider, who says Finicum was a hero for standing up against government overreach. Schneider used his time at the fair to talk to people about Finicum. He handed out pocket-sized copies of the U.S. Constitution to police officers.
Schneider says he hopes to donate some of his prize money to Finicum’s wife.
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MAN RUN OVER-DIES
Oregon police: Washington teen deliberately run over dies
GRESHAM, Ore. (AP) — Police say a Washington state teen has died of his injuries after he was deliberately run over as he fled an altercation at an Oregon convenience store.
Gresham Police said Monday that 19-year-old Larnell Malik Bruce, of Vancouver, Washington, died Saturday from his injuries.
Police say Bruce was struck by a 1991 Jeep Wrangler outside a 7-Eleven on Wednesday night. Police say the driver and passenger, 38-year-old Russell Courtier and 35-year-old Colleen Hunt, have been arrested and are being held in a Multnomah County jail on more than $500,000 bail.
Authorities say they’re facing charges of attempted murder, first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon.
Det. Adam Baker says police have notified prosecutors of Bruce’s death and other charges are possible.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.