PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A convicted robber may be linked to the death of Portland defense attorney Nancy Bergeson.
Justin Joseph Panek was sentenced Thursday in Multnomah County to nearly 6 years in prison for his involvement in 2 robberies in Tigard in 2016.
Panek is also accused of burglarizing a home on Southwest Hamilton Street on Nov. 24, 2009.
That house, located behind Panek’s own residence, belonged to Bergeson. The date of the alleged burglary was the same day she was found dead in her home.
The case that stumped authorities for nearly a decade was thrown back into the limelight last week when detectives arrested 28-year-old Christopher Alexander Williamson and charged him with murder. He’s pleaded not guilty.
Meanwhile, Panek had been in custody for the Tigard robbery allegations.
On Thursday, The Oregonian cited police documents that suggested Panek talked to other inmates about his possible involvement in Bergeson’s murder.
Whatever Panek allegedly said may have helped detectives make their arrest last week.
KOIN 6 News will continue to follow this story.