PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN 6) — The murder trial of 2 men began Thursday in Portland for an alleged arson that killed a man in 2013.
Mark Moore, 52, and Ervin Golden, 50, are each charged with two counts of murder and three counts of first-degree arson. A third suspect, Dwayne Richardson has pled no contest to one count of third-degree assault.
Defense attorneys argue there is no physical or forensic evidence of arson and that with no evidence of arson, there can’t be murder.
During opening statements presented on Thursday, Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Glen Banfield told jurors the death of Jeremy Purcell was a revenge killing that involved the theft of a vehicle and drugs.
Portland Fire & Rescue responded to reports of a garage fire on Feb. 11, 2013 in the 9900 block of Southeast Yukon. Purcell, 37, was pulled from the structure by firefighters but died at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center.
Defense attorney Russell S. Barnett III, who represents Moore, told the jury the cause of the fire was ruled as “undetermined.” Barnett said the state medical examiner ruled that Purcell died because of smoke inhalation.
Barnett and Jonathan Thomas Sarre, who represents Golden, hammered at the fact the prosecution will be relying on testimony from 2 people who have entered into cooperation agreements for their testimony. Both men have criminal records and will receive reduction in sentences on their pending cases for testifying in the murder trial, according to Barnett and Sarre.
In his opening statements, Banfield told the jury Purcell had been living in a garage owned by Richardson. There was a dispute between Richardson, Golden and Purcell. Golden had made it very clear that he wanted to kill Purcell, Banfield said.Richard and Moore were long time friends.
According to Banfield, the autopsy revealed abrasions and lacerations to Purcell’s body, an indication that there had been an assault.
Court records show Moore reportedly admitted to being at the location at the time of the fire, but Barnett disputes that.
Barnett told the jury there was no evidence of an accelerant like gasoline or lighter fluid detected inside the garage.
According to court documents, Portland fire investigators suspect that “a competent ignition source was introduced to the area of origin which started the fire.”
The trial is supposed to last a wee and a half.