UPDATE: Rahnique Jackson Sentenced to Life in Prison for the Stabbing Death of Colin Smith
Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt today announced that a Multnomah County Circuit Court judge sentenced Rahnique Usef Jackson, 25, to life in prison for the stabbing death of Colin Smith, 32, in the Buckman neighborhood in July 2023. Jackson will be eligible for parole consideration after 25 years.
Trial
Senior Deputy District Attorney Jeff Auxier and Deputy District Attorney Branden Meadows handled prosecution for the state. A trial took place in front of Judge Shelley Russell from July 15-22, 2024. The 12-person jury delivered a unanimous verdict on July 22, finding Jackson guilty of:
Sentencing
Sentencing took place on July 26, 2024. Judge Russell sentenced Jackson to 364 days (the maximum amount allowed) for the Bias Crime charge, with a consecutive life sentence (with the possibility of parole after 25 years) for the Murder 2 and Unlawful Use of a Weapon charge.
The DA’s Office recognizes the tremendous impact this case has had on Mr. Smith’s family, friends, coworkers, and the community. Prosecutors are pleased to have reached this swift resolution and hope that it allows for some peace and closure for all who knew and loved Mr. Smith. The DA’s Office would like to thank all of the family and friends of Mr. Smith who testified; PPB Detective Brad Clifton for his hard work and professionalism; and Bias Crimes Investigator Brianna Ranck for her work on this case.
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*Original Message (7/13/2023)*
DA Mike Schmidt Announces Grand Jury Indictment of Rahnique Jackson in Stabbing Death of Colin Smith
Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt today announced that a grand jury indicted Rahnique Usef Jackson, 24, on three charges relating to the recent stabbing death of Colin Smith, 32, in the Buckman neighborhood:
On July 2 at 1:49 a.m., Portland Police Central Precinct officers were dispatched to a report that someone was stabbed in the 1400 block of Southeast 12th Avenue. When they arrived, they located an adult male deceased at the scene. The victim was later identified as Colin Smith, and the medical examiner determined he died of homicide by stabbing. The suspect, Jackson, fled the scene and was arrested by members of the U.S. Marshals Service on July 7.
Jackson is scheduled to be arraigned on July 18, at which time he will enter a plea. Senior Deputy District Attorney Jeff Auxier and Deputy District Attorney Branden Meadows are the prosecutors assigned to this case.
A charging instrument is only an accusation of a crime. Jackson is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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UPDATE: Donna Morriss Pleads Guilty, Sentenced to 156 Months in Prison for Burglary and Identity Theft Crimes
Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt today announced that a Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge sentenced Donna Marie Morriss, 47, to 156 months in prison after she pled guilty to multiple charges from incidents that took place between 2021 and 2024.
Upon review of the evidence, it was determined that Morriss specifically targets vulnerable victims, including elderly and disabled adults, asking them to deposit bogus checks into their accounts and then withdraw cash for her. She also tried to establish accounts with their stolen information.
Deputy District Attorney Owen Yeates represented the state in this case, which resulted in a negotiated plea agreement with the defendant and her counsel to resolve numerous burglary and identity theft cases.
Judge Eric Bergstrom accepted the plea on July 25, 2024, and sentenced Morriss as follows:
Morriss has been ordered to pay more than $5,000 in restitution, and she has agreed to pay additional restitution to other victims in the cases covered by the plea agreement. She will serve three years of post-prison supervision.
Morriss is currently in custody in Multnomah County and will be transported to the Oregon Department of Corrections to serve her sentence.
The DA’s Office thanks the many partners who assisted with these cases, in particular officers and detectives with the Portland Police Bureau and investigators with Multnomah County Adult Protective Services. The DA’s Office also wishes to thank the individuals who contacted the office following the previous call for additional witnesses/victims to come forward; several cases that resolved with this plea agreement were the result of those individuals coming forward.
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*Original Message (4/29/24)*
Suspect in Numerous Identity Thefts and Forgeries Arrested; DA's Office Seeking Additional Victims (Photo)
April 29, 2024
A suspect in various identity thefts and forgeries over the course of the past few years has been arrested, and the DA’s office is asking other victims to come forward.
Donna Marie Morriss, 47, has been indicted on four separate cases by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office (MCDA) totaling 46 charges, including 15 counts of Aggravated Identity Theft, nine counts of Felony Computer Crime, eight counts of Forgery in the First Degree, four counts of Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card, and four counts of Theft in the First Degree. She was arrested by Portland Police on an outstanding warrant on April 3, 2024, and is currently in custody at the Multnomah County Detention Center.
The four indicted cases involved key information provided to MCDA by Multnomah County Adult Protective Services, which investigates allegations of abuse, self-neglect, and financial exploitation of seniors and people with disabilities. A number of the indicted charges are supported by allegations that the victims were vulnerable. Victims who are vulnerable include the elderly and disabled adults.
Investigators believe there may be additional victims. As further investigation is underway, investigators encourage anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Morriss’ to email damailbox@mcda.us, using the subject line Donna Morriss.
MCDA thanks the many partners who are assisting with these cases, including the Portland Police Bureau, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Multnomah County Adult Protective Services, Rivermark Community Credit Union, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Morriss is only accused of committing a crime. She is innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Jeffery McNeill Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for 2022 Stabbing Death
Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt today announced that a Multnomah County Circuit Court judge sentenced Jeffery Joseph McNeill, 27, to 18 years in prison for the 2022 stabbing death of Nickolas “Nick” Henderson in northeast Portland.
Incident
On Friday, November 4, 2022 at 11:25 p.m., Portland Police Bureau officers were dispatched to a welfare check at a parking lot in the 2200 block of Lloyd Center. When officers arrived they found an adult male deceased, who was later identified as Nickolas “Nick” Henderson, 33, of Portland. The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office concluded that Henderson died of homicide by stab wounds.
The PPB Homicide Unit investigated the case, which led them to a person of interest, Jeffery Joseph McNeill, 26, of Alaska. After identifying McNeill, detectives learned he was in the custody of Clackamas County Jail on unrelated charges. Detectives, working with the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, were able to obtain an arrest warrant for him, and on December 1, 2023, he was transferred to custody in Multnomah County.
Plea & Sentencing
Deputy District Attorneys Sam Wilton and Kristen Kyle-Castelli represented the state in this case, which resulted in a negotiated plea agreement with the defendant and his counsel. Judge Christopher Marshall accepted the plea on July 17, 2024, and sentenced McNeill to 18 years in prison for one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree and one count of Attempted Robbery in the First Degree.
McNeill is currently in custody in Multnomah County and will be transported to the custody of the Oregon Department of Corrections to serve his sentence.
The DA’s Office wishes to thank the Portland Police Bureau officers and detectives who assisted with this case, in particular Detective Ryan Foote for his diligent work in pursuing justice for Mr. Henderson and his family.
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UPDATE: Quentin Blackmon Sentenced to 285 Months in Prison for 2020 Fatal Shooting
On Friday, July 12, Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Kelly Skye sentenced Quentin Blackmon, 34, to 285 months in prison for the 2020 shooting death of Thomas Hammond, 66, in northeast Portland.
Blackmon’s separate case for the murder of Michael Epps is pending and is scheduled for trial in September 2024. Blackmon remains in custody.
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*Original Message (6/1/2024)*
Jury Finds Quentin Blackmon Guilty of 2020 Homicide in the Sumner Neighborhood
Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt today announced that a Multnomah County jury delivered a guilty verdict for Quentin Blackmon, 33, for the 2020 fatal shooting of Thomas Hammond, 66, in northeast Portland.
Incident
On August 20, 2020 at approximately 4:04 p.m., Portland Police officers responded to the 4300 block of Northeast 90th Avenue on reports of a shooting. When officers arrived on scene, they found evidence of gunfire and a victim, later identified as Thomas Hammond. The investigation revealed that Blackmon used a firearm to carjack Hammond and that in the course of the robbery, Blackmon shot and killed Hammond. The Oregon State Medical Examiner determined the cause of Hammond's death was a gunshot wound and the manner of death a homicide.
Officers arrested Blackmon on October 2, 2020. He was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center where he has been held ever since. He pled not guilty in this case.
Trial & Verdict
The trial took place in front of Judge Kelly Skye from April 15-30, with Senior Deputy District Attorney JR Ujifusa and Deputy District Attorney Chris Shull as prosecutors. The 12-person jury delivered the verdict on April 30, finding Blackmon guilty of:
In a bifurcated court trial on May 1, the court also found Blackmon guilty of one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 23 at 1 p.m. in front of Judge Skye.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office thanks Det. Ryan Foote and the Portland Police Bureau for their assistance with this case.
Pending Murder Case
Blackmon has a separate case pending for the murder of Michael Epps. That case is also being prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney JR Ujifusa and Deputy District Attorney Chris Shull, and is scheduled for trial in September 2024.
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Jury Finds Isai Ramos Damian Guilty of Murder in 2022 Fatal Shooting
Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt today announced that a Multnomah County jury delivered a guilty verdict for Isai Ramos Damian, 24, for a 2022 fatal shooting in Northeast Portland.
Incident
On Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at 11:22 p.m., Portland Police Bureau officers responded to a report of a shooting at East Burnside Street and Northeast 148th Avenue. When they arrived they located a deceased female who was later identified as Gladis Mendoza-Hernandez, 42. The Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy and determined Mendoza-Hernandez died from a gunshot wound and ruled her death a homicide. A second victim – an adult male later identified as Brandon Dunn – sustained gunshot injuries to his lower extremities and was transported to the hospital and later released.
A law enforcement investigation revealed that Ramos Damian opened fire on Mendoza-Hernandez, Dunn, and a third victim, Ricardo Torres, as he passed them in his vehicle. An arrest warrant was granted, and officers from the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force arrested Ramos Damian in Gresham on February 28, 2023. He was taken into custody in Multnomah County where he has remained since.
Trial & Verdict
The trial took place in front of Judge Amy Baggio from June 24 to July 3, 2024, with Senior Deputy District Attorney Todd Jackson and Deputy District Attorney Julian Samuels as prosecutors. The 12-person jury delivered the verdict on July 3, finding Ramos Damian guilty of:
Sentencing is scheduled for July 12, 2024, in front of Judge Baggio. Ramos Damian remains in custody in Multnomah County pending sentencing.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office thanks the Portland Police Bureau for their assistance with this case.
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Jury Finds Daniel Bluestein Guilty of Rape in Re-Trial of 2006 Case
Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt today announced that a Multnomah County jury delivered a guilty verdict for Daniel W. Bluestein, 49, for sexually assaulting a woman in July 2006.
The case was originally tried in 2007 with the jury delivering an 11-1 guilty verdict on one count of Rape in the First Degree, one count of Sodomy in the First Degree, and one count of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree. On May 9, 2007, Judge Cheryl Albrecht sentenced Bluestein to 140 months in prison, which he has served.
Based on the Oregon Supreme Court’s ruling in Watkins v. Ackley, which found non-unanimous jury verdicts to be unconstitutional, Bluestein filed a petition seeking post-conviction relief. The Court accepted the petition, thereby vacating Bluestein’s convictions and remanding the case back to Multnomah County Circuit Court for further proceedings.
Deputy District Attorney Ryan Solomon took over the prosecution for the state. A new trial took place in front of Senior Judge Roxanne Osborne from June 24 to July 1, 2024. The 12-person jury delivered a unanimous guilty verdict on all three charges on July 1, 2024. Sentencing is scheduled for August 16.
The DA’s Office thanks the Portland Police Bureau officers and detectives who assisted with this case.
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