PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Jeremy Christian — the man accused of killing two people in a race-fueled attack on a MAX train — was removed from the courtroom Friday after shouting at a woman who was trying to deliver a victim’s statement.
During Friday’s hearing, Demetria Hester told the judge not to delay the trial, something his lawyers filed a motion for late Thursday. She said Christian threw a bottle at her and verbally assaulted her on a MAX train — prompting her to mace him. The incident happened the day before police said he stabbed three people — killing two.
Before Christian’s outburst, Hester asked the judge, “Why are we, the victims, having to come to you?”
She added that justice is supposed to be for the victims and all the victims want “peace and closure.”
Christian starting shouting as Hester spoke.
“Manufactured. You guys can [inaudible]. I don’t care. I’m the victim. You’re on video macing me. Liar, liar. You’re not the only black person on the MAX, manufacturing hate crimes. You liar. You’re on video you liar,” Christian yelled.
Christian was taken out of the courtroom in handcuffs.
“That’s him, an angry white racist,” Hester later said. “And the words that he was saying, what where they? What were the words he used in court? That he was the victim. Who’s the victim? He still thinks he’s the victim but we’re the victims.”
Christian’s lawyers filed a motion asking to delay his trial, which is currently scheduled to start on June 24. His lawyers said they need more time to prepare for the trial and for the settlement negotiations, which are expected to start May 13. The negotiations could void the need for a trial.
His attorneys also asked for a delay due to a new bill that could narrow the definition of “aggravated murder,” which is the only crime the death penalty applies to. Senate Bill 1013 would limit that definition to acts of terrorism in which 2 or more people are killed.
Everything in [brackets and italics is current law that would be omitted]
If passed, the bill could remove the possibility of the death penalty in Christian’s case.
It’s unclear how long of a postponement Christian’s lawyers are asking for.
Christian is accused of fatally stabbing Ricky Best and Taliesin Namkai-Meche on a MAX train on May 26, 2017. A third passenger — Micah Fletcher — was stabbed in the neck, but survived.