The Big Picture
The prosecution continued its case against Jeremy Christian Tuesday morning. Christian is accused of killing two people and injuring a third in a stabbing attack on a TriMet light rail train in Portland, Oregon, in May 2017.
Last week, witnesses said Christian was shouting racist comments while two black teenage girls — Walia Mohamed and Destinee Mangum — were nearby on the train. Mohamed is Muslim and was wearing a hijab.
Christian is also accused of harassing and assaulting Demetria Hester, an African American woman, on a MAX train the day prior.
He faces a dozen felony and misdemeanor charges, including multiple counts of first-degree murder and intimidation.
The Highlights (What Happened Tuesday)
Dr. Karen Gunson performed autopsies on the two deceased victims, Ricky Best and Taliesin Namkai-Meche, a day after the stabbings in May 2017.
Gunson said Best had three injuries of note: a stab wound in the right neck, a stab wound in the left cheek and a stab wound in the left neck.
Namkai-Meche had four wounds of note: a stab wound to the left neck, a shallow stab wound to the forehead, one behind the left ear and a cut on the back of his hand.
Some of Best’s and Namkai-Meche’s autopsy photos were shown to the jury and courtroom.
Gunson concluded the cause and matter of death for both men were the stab wounds to their necks by homicide.
What Happens Next
The prosecution will continue presenting its case against Christian Tuesday. The trial itself is expected to last through the end of February.
Go Deeper
- Witnesses Describe Arrest Of Jeremy Christian After TriMet Attacks
- Woman Assaulted Day Prior To MAX Train Killings Testifies In Trial
- Communities Of Color Still Reeling From 2017 Portland MAX Attack