ATTORNEY-LICENSE SUSPENDED
Salem attorney’s license suspended over ethics concerns
(Information from: Statesman Journal, http://www.statesmanjournal.com)
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Supreme Court has suspended the license of a Salem attorney accused of ethical misconduct for neglecting and overcharging his clients, including some who were denied refunds.
The Statesman Journal reports the suspension for Dale Roller comes after the Oregon State Bar investigated four complaints against the attorney. The state bar plans to bring another four complaints against Roller before the high court and is looking into four additional complaints.
Roller has denied wrongdoing and appealed the license suspension, which was approved Dec. 6.
The complaints against Roller allege he charged excessive fees, failed to keep in contact with his clients and inform them of his activities regarding their cases.
According to his website, Roller was licensed since 2009 and has offices in Salem, Portland and Lake Oswego.
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EMOTIONAL TRAUMA-LAWSUITS
Boys who saw brother die can sue for emotional distress
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Supreme Court has ruled that two boys who saw their 7-year-old brother get killed by a pickup truck in Central Oregon can proceed with a lawsuit seeking damages for emotional distress.
Multiple news outlets reported previous case law barred the boys, who were 8 and 12 at the time of the 2011 incident in Madras, from seeking compensation because they hadn’t suffered physical injury. Dennis Kluser made a left turn into one of the brothers, Austin Hollenbeck-Hatch.
The state’s high court said Thursday the boys didn’t need to be physically harmed to seek compensation for psychological injuries.
Their lawsuit seeks over $51,000 for counseling and hundreds of thousands of dollars for mental anguish.
The brothers’ case will now be able to proceed toward trial.
Oregon Public Broadcasting says an attorney for Kluser didn’t respond to requests for comment.
TEACHER-SEX ABUSE
Dallas teacher to change plea in sex abuse case
(Information from: Gazette-Times, http://www.gtconnect.com)
CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) — A Dallas, Oregon high school teacher charged with having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student is expected to change his not guilty plea next month.
The Gazette-Times reports that Kirk Myrold, of Albany, has pleaded not guilty to felony charges of sexual abuse and luring a minor. A change of plea hearing has been scheduled for Jan. 12.
Authorities say 36-year-old Myrold was arrested after police received a report in September from the Dallas School District that a teacher had been involved in an inappropriate relationship with a female student.
The Spanish teacher and soccer coach for Dallas High School has since been released on bail.
Superintendent Michelle Johnstone notified parents in a September email that Myrold had been placed on administrative leave.
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COUPLE FLEES WITH CHILD
Ashland couple who fled with child arrested in Florida
(Information from: Mail Tribune, http://www.mailtribune.com/)
MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) — Authorities say a southern Oregon couple who left town with their 7-year-old daughter in violation of a court order in October have been arrested in Florida.
The Mail Tribune reports that Trevor and Sara Long, of Ashland, were arrested Thursday at a hotel in Orlando. They have been charged with custodial interference for removing their daughter from state possession.
Their daughter had been placed under state protective custody for unknown reasons in September. Sara Long then gained back custody of the child under multiple conditions, including that the child not have contact with her father, but she lost the child again after missing a court date.
Police say the Longs picked up their daughter from school on Oct. 7 and fled. The child had been placed with a relative at the time.
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MURDER CONVICTION-SUPREME COURT
Oregon’s high court sends 1993 murder back to lower court
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Supreme Court has sent a 1993 murder case back to a trial court for reconsideration.
The panel said Thursday that Karlyn Eklof was correct to appeal her 1995 aggravated murder conviction because she didn’t have access to evidence that could have impeached the two witnesses against her.
Eklof learned in 2012 that one witness made statements to police that differed from his later accounts.
Another witness had a criminal history of which Eklof’s attorney was not aware.
Eklof’s current attorney, Jason Weber, says a court must now decide if the new evidence warrants a new criminal trial.
Eklof is serving life in prison for the murder of James Salmu, a Springfield boat builder.
Eklof’s then-boyfriend, Jeffrey Tiner, was also convicted.
BYSTANDER-DISTRESS LAWSUIT
Court revives suit seeking money for Madras crash witnesses
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Supreme Court has revived a lawsuit filed on behalf of two boys who witnessed their younger brother get struck and killed by a pickup five years ago.
At issue is whether uninjured bystanders can recover damages for emotional distress when seeing a loved one harmed due to negligence.
Two lower courts tossed the suit before the state Supreme Court reversed those decisions Thursday. The case now returns to circuit court.
The boy, 7-year-old Austin Hollenbeak-Hatch, was struck and killed in a downtown Madras crosswalk. His mother sued the driver, asserting the two surviving brothers suffered emotional injuries after watching Austin die.
The lower courts said the boys could only be compensated for emotional distress if they were physically injured.
GIFT CARD CRASH
Woman who drove through Ore. market found guilty but insane
(Information from: The Register-Guard, http://www.registerguard.com)
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — A woman who drove her SUV through a Springfield supermarket this summer has been found guilty except for insanity.
The Register-Guard reports 42-year-old Noella Fay has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and could be sent to the Oregon State Hospital for her crimes, which include reckless driving, criminal mischief, recklessly endangering another person and unlawful use of a weapon.
A Lane County judge will decide early next year whether Fay should be sent to the state-run mental hospital or allowed to remain in the community while receiving psychological services.
Police said the incident happened after the woman argued with store managers about gift cards.
Fay told a reporter Wednesday that she drove through the supermarket during a manic episode that occurred after her doctor adjusted her medication.
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WAVE ENERGY
OSU receives DOE grant for wave energy test facility
(Information from: Gazette-Times, http://www.gtconnect.com)
CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) — Oregon State University has landed a federal grant for the design, permitting and construction of an advanced wave energy test facility.
The Corvallis Gazette-Times reports that the U.S. Department of Energy announced the decision Wednesday. Department officials say the grant is for up to $40 million but the final amount is subject to appropriation.
The Pacific Marine Energy Center South Energy Test Site will be an open-water, grid-connected facility for trying out devices being developed by private companies to capture the energy of ocean waves and turn it into electricity.
Energy department officials say the investments will create jobs and help develop an untapped energy source.
The facility is expected to be running by 2020.
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Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
