HILLSBORO, Ore. (April 7, 2023) — The Washington County District Attorney’s Office is pleased to announce the results of “Wingspan III,” a specialized court program designed to address the criminal defense attorney shortage crisis.

In Washington County, dozens of criminal defendants have not been assigned court-appointed attorneys due to Oregon’s indigent defense attorney shortage. This has led to delayed justice, for both the defendants charged with crimes and the community members victimized by crime.

This past February and March, the Washington County District Attorney’s Office partnered with the Oregon Defense Attorney Consortium (ODAC) and the Washington County Circuit Court to launch Wingspan III. The program was modeled after two previous specialized court programs that addressed case backlogs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the course of six weeks, prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges worked together to ensure defendants and victims had their day in court.

Wingspan III addressed more than 100 Washington County criminal cases delayed due to a lack of defense attorney representation. Wingspan III’s efforts also included the services of eight ODAC defense attorneys who represented Washington County defendants without assigned counsel.

Of the defendants who appeared in court, Wingspan III resolved approximately 70% of their cases. An in-depth summary of Wingspan III’s results can be viewed here. 

“I am proud that key Washington County stakeholders came together to address this problem,” said Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton. “Those accused of a crime and those victimized by a crime deserve to have their day in court without delay.”

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Rob Harris, attorneys of the Oregon Defense Attorney Consortium, the Washington County Circuit Court and Judge Erik Bucher for their partnership in this unique program.

HILLSBORO, Ore. (March 6, 2023) — Dante James Halling, age 60, was sentenced today after pleading guilty to six counts of Attempted Murder and one count of Burglary in the Second Degree for the attempted murder of five sheriff’s deputies and one Tualatin police officer in August of 2019. Chief Deputy District Attorney Bracken McKey prosecuted the case before Judge Beth Roberts. At the sentencing, Judge Roberts noted Mr. Halling’s extensive criminal history and expressed the need to ensure the public’s safety, before sentencing Mr. Halling to 45 years in prison, all of which will be served under Ballot Measure 11. 

On August 8, 2019, Mr. Halling burglarized an outdoor shed of a Scoggins Valley Road residence, stealing a shotgun and ammunition before attempting to enter the back door of the victim’s home. Members of the victim’s family were home at the time of the attempted break in and immediately called 911. Washington County Sheriff Officers quickly dispatched the Washington County Sheriff’s Tactical Negotiations Team after arriving to the property.

Sergeant Crecelius, Corporal Justin Pelletteri, Deputy Steve Nichols, Detective Kevin Winfield, Deputy Chris Iverson, Sergeant Jeremy Braun and K9 Maize of the Tactical Negotiations Team cleared the home and brought the victims residing in the home to safety. While clearing the house, the defendant was found armed and attempting to enter the back door of the victim’s home before running into a wooded area near the residence. 

The Tactical Negotiations Team pursued Mr. Halling into the woods. Mr. Halling had concealed himself in the woods. As the Tactical Negotiations Team approached, Mr. Halling opened fire, shooting Deputy Jeremy Braun in the chest and neck, then shooting Deputy Iverson in the side and left elbow. Deputy Braun sustained traumatic injuries and nearly died, with shotgun pellets striking the carotid artery and jugular vein. Braun was life-flighted to the Oregon Health Science University trauma unit for emergency surgery, nearly dying several times.

Mr. Halling was arrested and transported to Emanuel Hospital in Portland, for a gunshot wound to the lower abdomen he sustained during the firefight. At Emanuel Hospital, the defendant was diagnosed with “acute methamphetamine intoxication” after toxicology reports revealed a large amount of meth in the defendant’s body.

“Judge Roberts sent an important message today — that criminals are still punished in Washington County, and we will not tolerate violence directed at law enforcement or other first responders,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Bracken McKey.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office acknowledges the work of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Oregon Health Science University Trauma Unit, Rehabilitation Institute of Oregon, Metro West Ambulance for their bravery and quick response in this matter. This office also commends the courage, selfless service and heroism of the Washington County Sheriff’s Tactical Negotiations Team, who put their life in harm’s way to protect our Washington County residents.

HILLSBORO, Ore. (March 7, 2023) — The Washington County District Attorney’s Office is pleased to announce the 2022 metrics for Washington County’s Rapid Fitness to Proceed Program.

The Rapid Fitness to Proceed Program aims to improve the efficiency of the “fitness to proceed” process to reduce the time offenders spend in jail awaiting fitness to proceed determinations. Under Oregon law, when the court has reason to doubt a defendant’s fitness to proceed by reason of incapacity due to a qualifying mental illness, the court may order an examination to determine whether the defendant possesses the capacity to understand the nature of the proceedings and ability to aid and assist in his or her defense. If an offender is determined not to have the capacity to proceed, the offender is transferred to a state hospital to receive treatment for an assigned duration.

The Rapid Fitness to Proceed Program was established in 2020 in collaboration with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the defense bar, mental health services and the Washington County Circuit Court. Through partnering with NW Forensic Institute and Lithia Forensics and Consulting, Washington County stakeholders reduced the turnaround time of a process that once took 62 days to as little as 16 days.

“The Rapid Fitness to Proceed program is one of many examples of public safety and justice system partners working together to keep our community safe,” remarked Washington County Sheriff Pat Garrett. “This program helps us make the most of limited jail capacity and improves overall community safety.”

From January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022, the Rapid Fitness to Proceed Program saved 1,472 total jail days for 39 defendants, freeing up critically needed jail space for other criminal defendants awaiting court appearances. If calculated in dollars and cents at $264.78 per person, per day, this would amount to $475,015.32. Through this improved efficiency, offenders arrested for lower-level crimes spend less time in jail pre-trial, freeing up limited jail space for more dangerous offenders.

“Our Rapid Fitness to Proceed program continues to show great results,” said District Attorney Kevin Barton. “At a time when resources are stretched and we need to be as efficient as possible, this innovative program allows us to prioritize the use of hospital beds for those who need treatment and jail beds for those who need incarceration.”

To learn more about this program and to access a referral form needed to initiate an evaluation, visit our Rapid Fitness to Proceed page.