Timing of Calhoun indictment questioned; Vasquez, Schmidt camps trade shots

Jesse Lee Calhoun — a man previously considered a person of interest in the deaths of four women in 2023 — was indicted on three counts of murder in the second degree and three counts of abuse of a corpse in the second degree in connection with the deaths of Charity Lynn Perry, Bridget Leanne Webster and Joanna Speaks.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Days before ballots are due in Oregon's primary election, Portland and Multnomah County officials held a joint press conference on Friday to announce the indictment of a now-accused serial killer on numerous charges.

Jesse Lee Calhoun — a man previously considered a person of interest in the deaths of four women in 2023 — was indicted on three counts of murder in the second degree and three counts of abuse of a corpse in the second degree in connection with the deaths of Charity Lynn Perry, Bridget Leanne Webster and Joanna Speaks.

At Friday’s press conference, the District Attorney’s Office was asked if the timing of the indictment was politically motivated. Senior Deputy District Attorney Melissa Marrero fielded the question, telling reporters that the timing had nothing to do with the upcoming DA’s race between Mike Schmidt and his colleague and challenger Senior Deputy District Attorney Nathan Vasquez.

“From our perspective, the election had nothing to do with why we chose to do it at the time we did or the speed at which the investigation went forward,” Marrero said. “The collection of evidence is what controlled that completely. All of our investigative partners would confirm that we had discussed a mid-May grand jury proceeding well before the election politics were raised.”

While Schmidt’s office and campaign deny political motives in the timing of the indictment, Vasquez and Schmidt’s camp quickly accused each other of politicizing the event within hours of the press conference.

“The delay of the indictment was absolutely political,” Vasquez told KOIN 6 News in a statement provided by his campaign. “Mike Schmidt failed to charge Calhoun because he knows that he should never have been released from prison in the first place and there is an election right around the corner. This tragedy has been compounded by Schmidt’s political ambitions. The families of these women deserve better.”

Calhoun was already in custody for parole violations at the time of the May 2024 indictment. Court documents show he was set to be released on June 7 if charges related to the murders weren’t filed in time. The release Vasquez mentioned was a reference to the clemency granted to Calhoun and dozens of other inmates in 2021 by then-Gov. Kate Brown on the eve of her final term. However, Calhoun was slated to be released by June of 2022, and none of the women Calhoun is accused of killing died before Calhoun's original release date.

Responding to Vasquez’ statements, Schmidt’s Campaign Manager Andrew Rogers called Vasquez’s response to Friday’s press conference “disgusting.”

"It's disgusting that Nathan Vasquez continues to exploit and politicize this tragedy,” Rogers said. “What's important here is securing justice for the victims and their families, our hearts and thoughts are with them.”

Amid the alleged political positioning, Vasquez also expressed remorse for the victims and their families, adding that he would carefully review any future clemency requests if elected as Multnomah County District Attorney.

"I am deeply saddened that it’s taken this long for the families of these victims to get justice,” Vasquez said. “As District Attorney, I will always fight for justice for victims and their families. Unlike Mike Schmidt, I will charge criminals in a timely manner, and I will carefully review any clemency requests to ensure that criminals are not released to commit further crimes."

Schmidt only spoke directly during a prepared statement at Friday’s press conference and did not personally address any follow-up questions. During the press conference, Schmidt presented Marrero and Senior Deputy District Attorney Todd Jackson as the lead prosecutors on the case and did not mention Vasquez by name.

“These cases are being led by two of my most seasoned homicide prosecutors,” Schmidt said. “... They both bring a tremendous amount of empathy to their work, combined with a sharp legal acumen. I’m confident in their ability to successfully prosecute these cases.”

The grand jury returned three counts of second-degree murder and three counts of abuse of a corpse against Calhoun in response to evidence presented by investigators.

There is no date set for Calhoun’s arraignment at this time.