WRONG-WAY CRASH-TRIAL
Manslaughter trial to begin in Oregon dispatcher’s death
(Information from: Mail Tribune, http://www.mailtribune.com/)
MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) — The trial of a Grants Pass man charged with killing an emergency dispatcher in a wrong-way collision on Interstate 5 while he was intoxicated is set to begin two years after the woman’s death.
The Mail Tribune reports Richard Webster Scott is scheduled for trial Tuesday on charges of manslaughter and driving under the influence in connection with the March 2014 crash.
Scott appeared in court Monday for a pre-trial conference, where he sought to have his court-appointed attorney removed from the case. A judge denied the request.
Police say Scott struck and killed 58-year-old Karen Greenstein after driving on the wrong side of the highway.
Greenstein had been a longtime dispatcher for Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon and was named the agency’s Dispatcher of the Year in 2011.
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CRASH-TODDLER FATAL
Sherwood man charged in crash that killed 2-year-old
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A Sherwood man has been charged with manslaughter and other crimes in connection with a crash that killed a toddler and left several other people injured in Deschutes County.
David William Fincher was arraigned Monday on charges of manslaughter, assault and driving under the influence related to the Sept. 11 crash.
Authorities say the 46-year-old man lost control of a Toyota Tacoma as it turned a corner on Highway 20 and then crossed into oncoming traffic.
The Tacoma collided with a Volkswagen Jetta carrying the 2-year-old girl, who died at the scene. The driver of the Jetta and a 7-year-old boy in the car were taken to a hospital for treatment.
Fincher’s vehicle also hit a Dodge Charger, resulting in two more people being taken to the hospital.
FATAL SHOOTING-PORTLAND
Police investigating fatal shooting in North Portland
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Portland police are investigating a shooting that left one person dead in the northern part of the city.
Portland Police Bureau Sgt. Pete Simpson said in a news release officers from the North Precinct responded to gunfire reports Monday night.
Officers found a gunshot victim in the 8100 block of North Hereford Avenue near Cesar Chavez School. Medical personnel determined the person had died.
No further information, including the identity of the victim, was immediately released.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call police at (503) 823-3333.
SEX ABUSE ARREST
Tualatin man denies sex abuse charges
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A Tualatin man remains jailed on $850,000 bail in connection with child sex abuse charges.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports that the 55-year-old man pleaded not guilty to the charges Monday. He had been arrested Friday for investigation of sex abuse, sodomy and other crimes.
Tualatin police say the suspect has been a popular square dance caller in Washington and Marion counties for several years.
Police say they believe there may be other potential victims in the case.
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FATAL SHOOTING-SALEM
Salem police investigating fatal shooting
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Police are investigating a fatal shooting in Salem.
Salem police say the shooting happened in a residential neighborhood Monday afternoon near a post office.
Salem police spokesman Lt. Dave Okada says no arrests have been made and detectives remained at the scene.
No further information was immediately released.
OREGON-SPOON FED
Oregon orders woman spoon-fed despite advanced directive
(Information from: Mail Tribune, http://www.mailtribune.com/)
ASHLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon officials are requiring a nursing facility to spoon-feed a woman despite her advance directive asking that measures not be taken to prolong her life.
The Mail Tribune reports that former librarian Nora Harris filled out the directive after receiving a diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. She is now unable to communicate and the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Office says the nursing facility must help her eat.
Her husband, Bill Harris, says the state is ignoring his wife’s wishes. He tried to challenge the spoon-feeding but lost his civil case in July.
Jackson County Circuit Judge Patricia Crain agreed that Nora Harris would not have wanted the intervention. But Crain said she had to allow the spoon-feeding because the state says not helping Harris eat would violate state law.
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SEASIDE TODDLER DEATH
Trial of man accused of killing toddler to start Tuesday
(Information from: The Daily Astorian, http://www.dailyastorian.com)
SEASIDE, Ore. (AP) — Clatsop County’s first death penalty trial in 15 years is set to begin Tuesday and could last for up to two months.
The Daily Astorian reports that jury selection for 28-year-old Randy Lee Roden’s murder trial will begin this week. Roden is accused of killing 2-year-old Evangelina Wing, who died of blunt force trauma in December 2014.
Emergency crews were called after Evangelina was not breathing. The child was dead when responders arrived.
Prosecutors say Evangelina’s two brothers, ages 5 and 3 at the time, were also tortured, burned, bitten and caged in the Seaside apartment their mother, Dorothy Wing, shared with Roden.
Records show Roden has a criminal record that included domestic violence and sex abuse.
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RANCHING STANDOFF
Oregon refuge biologist says office was ‘completely trashed’
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon standoff trial entered its second week with a fish biologist testifying that occupiers left her office at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge “completely trashed.”
Linda Beck said she returned to the refuge in mid-February to find items that don’t belong to her strewn about the office.
Prosecutors showed jurors photos of standoff leaders Ammon and Ryan Bundy using Beck’s office as their own. Another photo showed black assault rifles in the office.
The Bundys and five co-defendants are charged with conspiring to impede federal employees such as Beck from doing their jobs at the refuge.
Under cross-examination, defense lawyer Marcus Mumford asked Beck if it’s possible that FBI agents caused the mess She acknowledged the possibility.
Though she didn’t go to the refuge during the 41-day standoff, Beck testified that she continued to work and get paid.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
