Arvoni Hayes, aged 23, faced arraignment yesterday, in connection with the July shooting death of Aaron McInnis in Portland's Rose City Park neighborhood. Charged with Murder in the Second Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Possession of a Loaded Firearm in a Public Place, Hayes entered a not-guilty plea – as per the Multnomah County District Attorney's office.
According to the announcement made by District Attorney Mike Schmidt, the charges were presented to a Grand Jury that returned a true bill, finding sufficient evidence to go forward with the prosecution. Following the indictment, U.S. Marshals arrested Hayes on Wednesday, without reported incident. It is important to quickly note that an indictment is not a declaration of guilt, but merely an accusation. Hayes is to remain innocent unless proven guilty in a legal setting.
The proceedings took place in front of Judge Russell, where Hayes, represented in court, proclaimed his innocence by pleading not guilty to the charges against him. This arraignment follows what must have been an intensive investigation by local authorities, spearheaded by the office of Deputy District Attorney Brad Kalbaugh, who initially presented the case to the Grand Jury, as reported by the Multnomah County District Attorney's office.
Details concerning the motive and circumstances that led to McInnis's death have yet to be publicly disclosed.
