Two years after the fatal shooting that left the Hazelwood neighborhood in Portland reeling, a resolution has finally come to pass in the case involving Colby Benson and the murder of Christopher Klein. Benson has been sentenced to life in prison with the chance for parole after 25 years, for the events that unfolded on September 11, 2020. According to the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office, the sentence was handed down on October 30, following a jury's guilty verdict on charges including Murder in the Second Degree and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.
Witness reports from the day of the incident recall an alarming scene where Klein, a 29-year-old resident of Portland's East Side, was shot multiple times while inside his vehicle. The grim aftermath prompted the Portland Police Bureau to the scene at East Burnside and 122nd Avenue where first responders and bystanders were unable to save Klein's life. Security footage proved pivotal in pinning down Benson as the shooter, showing him approaching the victim's car before discharging multiple rounds. In the details obtained by the District Attorney's office, it has been revealed that Benson, the perpetrator, knew Klein personally and had been with him earlier that day.
The trial, which spanned over two weeks, saw Deputy District Attorneys Sam Wilton and Sean Hughey represent the state, presenting evidence against Benson which included video surveillance and eyewitness testimonies. The jury’s decision brought a close to this chapter of Portland's ongoing struggle with gun violence, leaving a community to heal and remember a life tragically cut short. Upon his conviction, Benson has since been transferred to the custody of the Oregon Department of Corrections as indicated by the District Attorney's announcement.
With Benson's sentencing, the District Attorney’s Office took the opportunity to express its recognition of the profound impacts homicide has on the community, thanking law enforcement and investigative teams for their dedication. A special acknowledgment was given to PPB detective Brad Clifton, MCDA Investigators Anthony Merrill, Kirk Tonkin, Matt Estes, and Victim Advocate Rocio Peguero, for their contributions to resolving this intensely scrutinized case.
