A Portland man has been found guilty of a double homicide that occurred back in 2020, the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office announced. The jury's decision came down on Phillip Lawrence Nelson, 42, for the stabbing deaths of Najaf “Nate” Hobbs and Cassy Leaton in Northeast Portland.

According to the official report, the tragic incident unfolded on June 16, 2020, when, at 3:44 p.m., the Portland Police were called to the 1400 block of Northeast Davis Street, where they found Hobbs deceased at the scene and Leaton critically injured. She later succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. After the attack, Nelson was nowhere to be found, having fled before the police arrived.

Two days after the incident, the Portland Police Bureau apprehended Nelson, leading to his prolonged stay behind bars at the Multnomah County Detention Center. Throughout the trial, which lasted from April 8-26 under Judge Eric Dahlin, Nelson faced a 12-person jury that delivered a guilty verdict against him for one count of Murder in the Second Degree concerning Cassy Leaton and one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree for the death of Najaf Hobbs, sentencing is on the horizon, scheduled for May 24, where Judge Dahlin will once again preside.

Deputy District Attorney Rachna Hajari and Senior Deputy District Attorney Amanda Nadell led the prosecution in the case that concluded with Nelson's conviction, closing a harrowing chapter for the families affected by this senseless violence. The District Attorney’s Office has expressed gratitude to the Portland Police Bureau for their diligent contribution to ensuring justice was served in this case. Nelson’s sentencing is awaited, bringing closure to the families and the community at large.