Roadblocks at the Courthouse

Washington2016 QR code for Classic Portland Observer Online SECTION B Volume XLV www.portlandobserver.com Established in 1970 ‘City of Roses’ Number 19 Wednesday • May 11, 2016 Committed to Cultural Diversity Roadblocks at the Courthouse Report on DAs is push for criminal justice reform BY MICHAEL LEIGHTON percent of Oregon district attor- PORTLAND OBSERVER EDITOR ney races were uncontested, and As Oregon votes in next over 1 million Oregonians did week’s Primary Election most of not cast votes in their DA race, the candidates overseeing crimi- according to the ACLU investi- nal justice in the state won’t face gation. any opposition and that’s a road- The ACLU Oregon investiga- block to reforming laws that dis- tion finds that district attorneys proportionately impact minori- are in the best position to imple- ties, according to a new report ment new policies to curtail state by the American Civil Liberties prison growth and spending, but Union of Oregon. points to the Oregon District At- District attorneys (DAs) in Or- torneys Association for blocking egon are rarely challenged even proposed legislative reforms. though they have a powerful role “Instead of being the leaders in our criminal justice system in criminal justice reform, DAs and that locks in the status quo, have largely been roadblocks said David Rogers, the nonprofit Even as crime rates have sig- group’s state executive director. nificantly decreased, prosecutors He said the resulting number have increased the rate at which of unopposed races, including they charge people with felonies, Multnomah County which covers Rodgers said. “Oregon’s goal Portland, leads to less voter en- should be to reduce the prison gagement on criminal justice re- population, a goal DAs don’t form issues and continues a pat- seem to share.” tern where state district attorneys When Michael Schrunk retired have blocked a bipartisan push four years ago as district attorney for “smart” justice. for Multnomah County after 32 “Given the recent high-profile years in office in which he drew stories about racial disparity in an opponent just one time, his Multnomah County, it is import- chief deputy Rod Underhill ran ant to show one of the reasons we for the office unopposed. On the aren’t making progress,” Rogers ballot for re-election on Tuesday, said. he again faces no challenger. Earlier this year, a MacArthur Rogers says it’s possible Un- Foundation Safety and Justice re- derhill can be a leader on justice port made in conjunction with the reform issues, but being part of Oregon Justice Resource Center, the solution won’t happen with- other justice groups and govern- out a public that’s more engaged ment officials found that at ev- and one that’s demands account- ery stage of the criminal justice ability. system in Portland and across He cites the Portland Police Oregon you are punished more Bureau’s union-contracted 48 severely if you are black, Latino hour rule, which allows officers or Native American. to delay talking to investigators “District attorneys determine for 48 hours after an officer-in- whether someone gets access to volved shooting, as an example treatment or put in jail or prison, of an issue that justice activists whether a youth is charged as an have sought to eliminate, but has adult, and DAs largely influence gone nowhere for years. the extent of racial disparity in Reforming the grand jury pro- the system” said Rogers. “Vot- cess over the decision to indict PHOTO BY MICHAEL LEIGHTON/THE PORTLAND OBSERVER ers deserve to know where their police officers around misconduct Outside the Multnomah County Courthouse, David Rogers, executive director of the American Civil elected DAs stand on all of these or officer-involved shootings is Liberties Union of Oregon, gives attention to a new ACLU Oregon report showing how uncontested issues.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 Between 2004 and 2014, 78 district attorney races are a factor in tapping down criminal justice reform. Page A2 May 11, 2016 Festival announced Thursday that the Women’s Camp Must Move The Timbers will be the Grand Marshal of A recently constructed homeless camp ACLU Blasts Week the Spirit Mountain Casino Grand Floral for women, located in the Lents neigh- Parade. The team’s Alaska Airlines float borhood at Southeast 93rd and Wood- in will be decorated in green and white, stock, is already being taken down by with a huge soccer fan and Timber Joey. Sheriff’s Probe Review city officials. The camp was meant to BY MICHAEL LEIGHTON Ferguson’s New Chief Quits Job for Election shelter homeless women that have been sexually assaulted, but went up on Port- PORTLAND OBSERVER EDITOR Delrish Moss was House District 43 land Development Commission-owned sworn in Monday to candidate Roberta An investigation that land without permission. become the first per- Phillip-Robbins re- cleared Multnomah manent black chief signed her job as a Providence Hospital Sued County Sheriff Dan Sta- to lead the embattled Multnomah County The parents of a deceased premature ton of criminal wrongdo- police force in Fer- Youth and Gang Vi- baby boy are suing Providence’s St. ing failed to account for guson, Mo. The St. olence Prevention Vincent Medical Center for $3 million actions that may have vi- Louis suburb was Specialist Friday to after learning the ashes they received olated civil protections, where 18-year-old Michael Brown, who avoid a conflict with federal law. The were that of another deceased child. according to the Ameri- was black and unarmed, was fatally shot Hatch Act states no federal-funded gov- Norma Arellano and Sergio Maldonado can Civil Liberties Union by a white officer in 2014, leading to the ernment employee can run for a partisan held funeral services and family gather- of Oregon. Multnomah County Black Lives Matter movement. office, thus leaving Phillip-Robbins with ings with the misidentified ashes, learn- Sheriff Dan Staton two choices. She will continue on in her David Rogers, exec- Egg Shooter Sent to Jail ing five months later that those received race against Tawna Sanchez for state rep- belonged to a baby girl. utive director of the ACLU of Oregon, said A 68-year-old resident of southeast resentative in the May 17 Primary. the Oregon Attorney General Department of Portland was arrested last week after Obama to Visit Hiroshima Justice’s conclusions, released last week, only he retaliated with gunfire following 42nd Ave Mural for Prince The White House announced on Tues- represent part of the picture. his house getting egged twice. William A mural depicting the purple one, day that President Obama will be visiting “The DOJ’s findings strongly suggest to us Dean Thomas was booked on charges of Prince, has been erected behind Mo- Hiroshima May 27 as part of his trips to that Sheriff Staton violated civil law that pro- reckless endangerment, unlawful use of tivasi Coffee on Northeast 42nd and Japan and Vietnam, the first president to a weapon and discharging a firearm in Prescott. The mural was painted by ever visit the city destroyed by a nucle- tects Oregonians from state surveillance as well the city. Ashley Montague who also painted a ar bomb in an attack to end World War as free speech and association rights,” Rogers mural of Michael Brown at the Bonfire said. Grand Champ Timbers are Grand Marshals II. Obama will be meeting with Japan’s Lounge in southeast Portland, which is Prime Minister to discuss a continuing Following the Portland Timbers first CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 likely to be covered up soon according peace without nuclear weapons. Major League Soccer title, the Rose to the bar’s owner. Wells Fargo Presents the 2016 Good in the Hood Music and Food Festival June 24, 25, 26 Saturday June 25th, at 11 AM, starting at King School Web—www.goodnthehood.org; GITH hotline 971.302.6380 Volunteers needed—[email protected] Want to be a sponsor—[email protected] Festival Participation—[email protected] PUBLISHER: Mark Washington, Sr. Established 1970 ------------- USPS 959 680 ---------- 4747 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Portland, OR 97211 EDITOR: Michael Leighton The Portland Observer welcomes freelance submissions. Manuscripts and photographs should be clearly labeled and will be returned if accompanied by a self addressed envelope. All created design display ads become the sole property of the newspaper and cannot be used in other publications or personal usage without the written consent of the general manager, unless the client has purchased EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Rakeem Washington the composition of such ad. © 2008 THE PORTLAND OBSERVER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT PERMISSION IS PROHIBITED. The Portland Observer--Oregon’s Oldest Multicultural Publication--is a member of the National Newspaper Association--Founded in 1885, and The National Advertising Representative Amalgamated Publishers, Inc, ADVERTISING MANAGER: Leonard Latin New York, NY, and The West Coast Black Publishers Association Office Manager/Classifieds:Lucinda Baldwin CALL 503-288-0033 • FAX 503-288-0015 CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Paul Neufeldt [email protected] • [email protected] • [email protected] REPORTER/WEB EDITOR: Cervante Pope Postmaster: Send address changes to Portland Observer , PO Box 3137, Portland, OR 97208 May 11, 2016 Page A3 This page INSIDE Sponsored by: The in Week Review page A2 OPINION pages A6-7 LOCAL NEWS SPORTS pages A8 METRO page A11 The Multnomah County Elections Office, 1040 S.E. Morrison St., opens for extended hours ahead of Tuesday’s May 17 Primary. Ballots in the vote-by-mail election can be dropped off at the elections office and any official drop site location until 8 p.m. on Election Day. a heavily Democratic district. Sanchez and Phillip-Robbins are gunning for Lew Frederick’s Ballots Due seat as he turns his attention to the presumptive Republican nom- running for Senate District 22, Decision time for inee nationally after vanquish- which covers the same area as ing all of his primary opponents.

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