Portland Jury Acquits Man in Racially Charged Stabbing Case

A Portland jury has acquitted a man who acknowledged stabbing a stranger, following evidence that surfaced of the victim using a racial slur shortly after the incident.

Gary Edwards, 43, faced second-degree assault charges for attacking Gregory Howard Jr. with a knife on July 7, near the Union Station MAX stop. He was initially sentenced to almost six years in state prison under Oregon’s sentencing guidelines.

Edwards claimed he acted in self-defense after Howard shouted a racial slur at him. However, Howard denied using the word before being stabbed.

Video footage from a transit camera captured Howard sitting on a bench when Edwards approached him from behind, brandishing a knife. Upon noticing Edwards, Howard stood up and pushed him. Their brief struggle ended with Edwards stabbing Howard in the shoulder.

Defense attorney Daniel Small pointed out that crucial evidence later emerged when a security guard’s body camera recorded Howard using racial slurs. He questioned the jury, asking, “What, other than racism, could explain why Mr. Howard felt hatred, hostility, and aggression from strangers?”

On the other hand, prosecutor Katherine Williams contended that the slur was irrelevant since it was uttered post-attack. She argued, “The defendant does not feel his life is in danger. He did not retreat; he got up and left after stabbing someone. The defendant created the situation.”

Ultimately, the jury ruled in favor of Edwards.

Both men, who are homeless, each have histories of violent crime. Edwards had previously served three years for a stabbing at another MAX station in 2020, while Howard had a conviction for felony rape involving a child in Washington state back in 1997.

According to reports, the stabbing took place just after 9:30 a.m., with Portland police apprehending Edwards through the Central Bike Squad.