Portland’s lame-duck Democratic district attorney is seeking to reduce the sentences of several violent criminals, including a convicted murderer, just days before his replacement, known for being tough on crime, takes office.
Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt, who lost in the recent election, filed a petition on Monday to reconsider the sentences of eight individuals. This could lead to reduced charges and potential release from prison, as reported by Oregon Live.
âThese have all the appearance of a last-minute giveaway,â Multnomah County District Attorney-elect Nathan Vasquez, who defeated Schmidt, expressed to the outlet.
âTheyâre extremely violent individuals who have committed horrible crimes, and theyâre being given some kind of a break,â added Vasquez, who assumes office on Jan. 6.
One of the violent offenders Schmidt is seeking to release is Frank Swopes Jr., who was convicted of felony murder for the death of 75-year-old Jean Stevenson during a December 1993 home invasion.
Swopes Jr., 62, committed another violent crime just a week after the initial murder, where he tied a 76-year-old woman to her bed and subjected her to horrifying acts during a home invasion, as per court documents reviewed by Oregon Live.
The elderly victim reported that Swopes Jr. also sexually assaulted her during the incident.
Swopes Jr. has served 32 years of a 35-year prison sentence for his crimes.
Another individual on Schmidt’s list for sentence reduction is Shane Ebberts, who previously pleaded guilty to assault charges for an attack on a college student in 1995.
The DA’s office is aiming to allow Ebberts to withdraw his guilty pleas and instead plead to a lesser charge to expunge the crime from his record.
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