'Hard to look him in the face': Families react to accused serial killer's first court appearance

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Moments after accused serial killer Jesse Lee Calhoun pleaded not guilty Thursday morning, families connected to the victims shared how it felt to be in the same room as the man they believe killed their loved ones in 2023.

“It’s hard to look him in the face, and there’s a lot I would like to say.” Melissa Smith said. “As for now, it’s gut-wrenching. We already feel broken. We already feel empty.”

Calhoun, 39, faces three charges of second-degree murder and three charges of second-degree abuse of a corpse in relation to the deaths of Charity Lynn Perry, Joanna Speaks and Bridget Leanne Webster.

He is also named as a person of interest in the deaths of two other women — Kristin Smith and Ashley Real — though he has not been officially indicted.

Melissa, Kristin Smith’s mother, said several of the victim’s families could not be in the courtroom for Calhoun’s arraignment Thursday morning, but she chose to attend out of solidarity with those who lost someone connected to him.

“I am so happy for the other three victim’s families, that this is the first step in the right direction for them to even be able to start to grieve their loved ones,” Melissa said. “I’m there for them through all of it, and they’re there for me…as we keep fighting to get the truth and the answers we deserve.”

According to court documents, Calhoun is accused of killing Perry and moving her corpse sometime around March 8, 2023. The 24-year-old woman was found more than a month later in a culvert near Ainsworth State Park.

Calhoun is also accused of killing Joanna Speaks, 32, and then moving her corpse on March 18. She was found in an abandoned barn in Ridgefield in early April, though it was later announced police believed she may have been killed in Portland.

Court documents also allege Calhoun killed Bridget Webster, 31, on April 26 and proceeded to move her elsewhere. Webster’s body was found on Harmony Road near Mill Creek in Polk County a few days later on April 30.

Before his formal indictment in late May, Calhoun was identified as a person of interest in a total of four deaths including Perry and Webster – both named in the current charges against him – as well as Smith and Real, whose deaths remain under investigation.

Smith was reported missing in December 2022 and found in a wooded area of Portland months later. Real’s body was discovered in the Eagle Creek area on Sunday, May 7.

Calhoun was previously held at Snake River Correctional Institution on a parole violation and was brought to Multnomah County this week. Melissa said Thursday’s indictment is just the beginning.

“It’s killing us families,” Melissa said. “This is a nightmare to go through. Nobody should ever have to go through this…I don’t think we would be able to do this without one another.”

Calhoun’s next court date is set for July 19.