A Washington County Jail inmate walks around an enclosed rec area in his unit. Benito Vasquez-Hernandez, who is housed in general population, has access to a similar space during the day.
Photo: Benjamin Brink/Staff
[From article]
[From article]
At 897 days and counting, the 58-year-old may be the longest-held material witness in Oregon and perhaps the nation. He's waiting to testify in a murder case.
Legal experts are aware of no other witness jailed for so long. While no one appears to systematically track such cases, a law professor recalls only one similar instance - more than a century ago, in California.
In Oregon, a judge can keep material witnesses in custody until they testify, or release them pending trial. Under state law, material witness holds have no expiration, but detention typically lasts less than a week.
Civil rights advocates say a witness should never be locked up for long - certainly not more than two years. But it's not only the extraordinary length of Vasquez-Hernandez's imprisonment that disturbs them.
It's also his staggering disadvantages. He's poor. He's had no formal education and can't read or write. He's an immigrant who doesn't understand the American justice system. He's had no contact with his family.
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2015/03/oregon_man_commits_no_crime_bu.html
Oregon man commits no crime, but held in jail for 900 days
By Emily E. Smith
Legal experts are aware of no other witness jailed for so long. While no one appears to systematically track such cases, a law professor recalls only one similar instance - more than a century ago, in California.
In Oregon, a judge can keep material witnesses in custody until they testify, or release them pending trial. Under state law, material witness holds have no expiration, but detention typically lasts less than a week.
Civil rights advocates say a witness should never be locked up for long - certainly not more than two years. But it's not only the extraordinary length of Vasquez-Hernandez's imprisonment that disturbs them.
It's also his staggering disadvantages. He's poor. He's had no formal education and can't read or write. He's an immigrant who doesn't understand the American justice system. He's had no contact with his family.
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2015/03/oregon_man_commits_no_crime_bu.html
Oregon man commits no crime, but held in jail for 900 days
By Emily E. Smith
The Oregonian/OregonLive
on March 12, 2015 at 12:18 PM, updated March 13, 2015 at 5:34 PM
on March 12, 2015 at 12:18 PM, updated March 13, 2015 at 5:34 PM
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