PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — In a hearing Wednesday, Judge Cheryl A. Albrecht decided not to make a decision about bail for Jeremy Christian until she reviews more video evidence privately.
Christian is accused of killing Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche and Ricky Best and severely wounding Micah Fletcher on May 26, 2017 while onboard a TriMet MAX train as it pulled into the Hollywood Transit Station in Northeast Portland.
Graphic details of the MAX stabbing were shared in court, including prosecutors saying Christian carried out 11 stabs in 11 seconds.
The prosecution had a lead Portland police detective in the cast describe the stabbings that day and showed the judge photos from TriMet video and cellphone video recorded during the attack.
Detective Michelle Michaels, who interviewed Christian, recounted what he said in one interview:
There’s no way I can explain what happened except that both of those people would have been alive if they had kept their hands to themselves or got off the train and allowed me to have my free speech. It’s only because they decided to get violent with me that they signed their own death warrant and I don’t feel one bit remorseful or sorry about that.”
Survivor Micah Fletcher and families of the victims were in court for Wednesday’s hearing. Reviewing the trauma was emotional in court, so Albrecht decided to review the video privately and make a decision “soon.”
Kevin Sali, a criminal defense attorney who is not associated with the Christian case, said anyone being held in jail pending trial can ask for a release hearing. During a trial, there are rules of evidence that attorneys must follow when presenting their case to a jury. In a release hearing, those rules are slightly relaxed.
For example, Sali said during a release hearing, hearsay testimony is allowed. On Wednesday, the DA’s Office is expected to call Portland Police Bureau Homicide Detective Michele Michaels. She will be able to testify to things other witnesses saw, heard and told her about the stabbings.
On Tuesday, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office filed a 6-page memorandum explaining why prosecutors want to keep Christian behind bars. The account provides new information about the events leading up to the triple stabbing and the alleged statements Christian made.
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