Jesse Lee Calhoun, 39, has been charged with three counts of second-degree murder and abuse of a corpse in connection with the deaths of three women in the Portland area. Calhoun's release from prison early in 2021, under a program offering leniency for prisoners who volunteered to fight wildfires, has raised concerns about the impact of Oregon's recent decision to re-criminalize drug use.
Portland business owner Loretta Guzman, who joined "Fox & Friends First" to discuss the city's response to drug decriminalization, expressed concerns about the lack of support for addicted residents. Guzman's comments come as Portland grapples with the indictment of Jesse Lee Calhoun, 39, a suspected serial killer accused of killing at least three women in the Portland area.
Calhoun, an ex-con with a history of violent crimes, was released from prison early in 2021 after then-Gov. Kate Brown commuted his 2018 sentence on drug and weapons charges. However, he was rearrested last year and charged in connection with the deaths of Kristin Smith, 22, Charity Lynn Perry, 24, and Bridget Leann Webster, 31.
The killings have brought into question Oregon's 2020 decision to decriminalize small amounts of hard drugs, such as cocaine and heroin. While proponents argue that decriminalization reduces arrests and stigma, critics contend that it has led to an increase in drug-related deaths and homelessness.
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, who has faced criticism for his handling of the city's homelessness crisis, has acknowledged that the city needs to do more to address addiction. Wheeler has implemented a $30 million plan to provide addiction treatment and housing services, but critics argue that the effort is insufficient.
The victims of Calhoun's alleged crimes include women who were struggling with addiction and homelessness. Perry was living out of a tent in Vancouver, Washington, while Speaks and Real were known to frequent homeless encampments in Portland. Webster had previously struggled with addiction but had recently turned her life around.
The deaths have sent shockwaves through the Portland community, raising concerns about the safety of vulnerable residents. Calhoun's early release from prison has also sparked outrage, with some blaming the state's leniency towards nonviolent drug offenses for his alleged crimes.
Multnomah County prosecutors have announced that Calhoun will face three counts of second-degree murder and three counts of abuse of a corpse. He is expected to be transferred from the Snake River Correctional Institution to the Multnomah County jail ahead of his arraignment.
The indictment comes as Oregon prosecutors have announced the re-criminalization of drug use, reversing the 2020 decriminalization law. The move has been met with mixed reactions, with supporters arguing that it will help to reduce drug-related deaths and crime, while opponents caution that it will only lead to more arrests and stigma.
The case of Jesse Lee Calhoun has highlighted the challenges facing Portland and other cities grappling with the impact of drug decriminalization and the need for effective policies to address addiction and homelessness.
