Two Dead Because Portland DA Refused Prosecution

Accused double murderer Phillip Lawrence Nelson

Normally, I wouldn’t cover what appears to be a run of the mill murder in any city. This one, however, is a bit different.

Portland police have charged Phillip Lawrence Nelson in the double stabbing murder of Cassy Leaton, 22, and Najaf “Nate” Hobbs, 39 in Northeast Portland in June.

Now here’s the newsworthy part, the week before, Nelson had been arrested for interfering with a police officer during one of the riots. He was released the next day and charges were dropped.



Multnomah county prosecutor Mike Schmidt has blood in his hands. Plain and simple. Had he done the job he was elected to do, Cassie and Nate would still be alive. Instead, he declined to prosecute a homeless drifter who was involved in the riots.

Admittedly, IANAL, but the families of Cassie and Nate should sue.