Families react to accused Portland serial killer Jesse Lee Calhoun’s first court appearance, long-tailed, Portland serial killer Jesse Lee Calhoun’s first court appearance, Families react.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
In a chilling turn of events, Jesse Lee Calhoun, accused of being a serial killer, faced three murder charges and is a person of interest in two other cases. His lawyer pleaded not guilty on his behalf, sparking a wave of emotions among the families of the victims involved.
Victims’ Families Struggle to Face Alleged Killer
As Calhoun’s lawyer entered a plea of not guilty, the families of the victims gathered in the courtroom, struggling to come to terms with the reality of the situation. Melissa Smith, a family member of one of the victims, expressed the difficulty of being in the same room as the man they believe is responsible for the deaths of 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 shared. “As for now, it’s gut-wrenching. We already feel broken. We already feel empty.”
Calhoun’s Charges and Allegations
Calhoun, aged 39, is facing 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. Additionally, he is a person of interest in the deaths of two other women — Kristin Smith and Ashley Real.
According to court documents, Calhoun is accused of killing Perry, moving her corpse around March 8, 2023. Perry, aged 24, was found more than a month later in a culvert near Ainsworth State Park.
Calhoun is also accused of the murder of Joanna Speaks, aged 32, and moving her corpse on March 18. Speaks was discovered in an abandoned barn in Ridgefield in early April, with police later suggesting she may have been killed in Portland.
Furthermore, court documents allege that Calhoun killed Bridget Webster, aged 31, on April 26 and relocated her body to Harmony Road near Mill Creek in Polk County, where it was found on April 30.
Continued Investigation and Court Proceedings
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. The deaths of Kristin Smith and Ashley Real remain under investigation.
Smith was reported missing in December 2022 and found in a wooded area of Portland months later, while Real’s body was discovered in the Eagle Creek area in May 2023.
Calhoun, previously held at Snake River Correctional Institution on a parole violation, was brought to Multnomah County for court proceedings. The families of the victims find themselves in the midst of a nightmare, with Melissa expressing that the indictment is just the beginning of seeking justice.
Calhoun’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 19, as the families affected by these tragic events continue to seek closure and answers.
.
– Families react accused Portland serial killer Jesse Lee Calhoun’s first court appearance
– Families react Portland serial killer Jesse Lee Calhoun’s court appearance.
