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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (March 4, 2015)
Page 2 March 4, 2015 Possible Freedom for Marijuana Offenders Frederick proposes law to align with new legalization O LIVIA O LIVIA T HE P ORTLAND O BSERVER At this point everyone knows that recreational marijuana will soon be legal in the state of Oregon. But what will become of the scores of men and women serving time for marijuana-affiliated crimes in the state or those with criminal records related to marijuana use or sale that prevent them from getting housing, jobs, and sometimes even an educa- tion. Rep. Lew Frederick, who repre- sents north and northeast Port- BY Rep. Lew Frederick land in the state Legislature, is pushing forward a new bill that could mean people jailed for non- violent marijuana crimes would no longer be kept behind bars. The proposed legislation would reduce sentences for people sent to prison for mari- juana-related crimes for a drug that becomes legal in Oregon come July 1. His bill could also help people convicted of non- violent marijuana crimes to ex- punge their records. “There are two aspects of the bill, for folks who are currently serving,” Frederick said. “I be- lieve it’s like less than 100 people who are presently in jail in Oregon for this, but there are several thousand people who were arrested in the past and now have records based solely on marijuana. You are told you can’t get housing or certain jobs, or even sometimes an edu- cation, due to these previous records.” Chiropractic Auto Injury Clinic, PC Zchon R. Jones, DC 333 NE Russell St., #200, Portland, OR. 97212 (503) 284-7838 Truly making a difference in the lives of Auto Accident victims and Injured Workers for nearly 20 years. If you or someone you know has been in an accident, call us so we can help you with your needs. (503) 284-7838 We are located on the corner of MLK and Russell Street, on the second floor above the coffee shop. Established 1970 P UBLISHER : E DITOR : Mark Washington, Sr. Michael Leighton E XECUTIVE D IRECTOR : Rakeem Washington O FFICE M ANAGER /C LASSIFIEDS : Lucinda Baldwin C REATIVE D IRECTOR : P a u l USPS 959-680 R EPORTER /P HOTOGRAPHER Olivia Olivia Fatal shooting shatters peaceful afternoon Police were called to a broad day- light shooting at North Blandena Street and Commercial Avenue Monday where they found the body of a 29-year-old male, identified as Marquis “Odie” Delon Chaney, a black resident of the neighborhood who appeared to have been fatally shot at least once. Friends and family gathered at the site immediately following the shooting, which occurred around 2:30 p.m. and was only two blocks north of Jefferson High School. Homicide detectives and gang enforcement officers responded and later escorted Cheney’s mother to the scene. Authorities said the killing marked the 26th time that the Port- land Police Bureau’s Gang Violence Response Team has come out to a shooting or stabbing since the New Year. The numbers have more than doubled since this time last year. Anyone with information about Monday’s murder, including infor- mation learned on social media, should contact investigators on the case, Detective Mark Sponhauer at 503-823-0416 or Detective Kristina Coffey at 503-823-0696. image had a countdown clock to March 11 at 11 a.m. which caused many students to become dis- traught by the implications. A social media post said it was the first clue to a Portland puzzle. The Kersey Memorial Held Jerome Kersey was remembered as FBI said there was no threat, but police are investigating. a gifted athlete Week in The Review who made him- self a solid NBA player through hard work during a public memo- rial service Monday at Memorial Coliseum. Former Trail Blazer Coach Rick Aldelman, ex teammate Terry Por- ter, current coach Terry Stotts and Kersey’s widow, Teri, were also on had. Kersey died suddenly on Feb. 18 from a blot clot to his lungs. He was 52. Targeting E-Cigarettes Lawmakers in the Oregon House voted Monday to tighten restric- tions on electronic cigarettes, in- cluding banning indoor use and sales to minors. The proposal would also outlaw the use of e- cigarettes and other vaporizing de- vices in workplaces and bars. Boyfriend Pleads Not Guilty Nicholas R. Estrada, 22, pleaded not guilty to murder Monday in the Feb. 18 death of his girlfriend, whose body was found the next day in the Willamette River off Kelly Point Park. Ferguson Racial Bias Report Elyesicia C. Payton died of blunt A Justice Department investiga- force trauma and drowned, accord- tion will allege sweeping patterns ing to an autopsy. of discrimination within the Ferguson, Mo., police depart- More Time to Transfer ment, jail and municipal court, a On Sunday, TriMet officially ex- law enforcement official familiar tended transfer times for single-ride with the report said Tuesday. The tickets to 2.5 hours from 2 hours. report will charge that police dis- This is expected to create relief for proportionately use excessive long-distance commuters coming force against blacks and that black into the central city for work or school drivers are stopped and searched from the surrounding suburbs. far more often than white motor- Man Breaks Into Courthouse ists, even though they're less likely A 27-year-old man was jailed after to be carrying contraband. his arrest Monday for breaking into the Multnomah County Court- Puzzling Image Causes Stir A mysterious symbol plastered house overnight. Michael across three Portland high Hernandez is accused of burglary, schools shook students, parents disorderly conduct and criminal and school officials Monday. The mischief. 4747 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Portland, OR 97211 The Portland Observer welcomes freelance submissions. Manuscripts and photographs should be clearly labeled and will be returned if accompanied by a self addressed envelope. All created design display ads become the sole property of the newspaper and cannot be used in other publications or personal usage without the written consent of the general manager, unless the client has purchased the composition of such ad. © 2008 THE PORT- LAND OBSERVER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT PERMISSION IS PROHIBITED. 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