After a nearly two-week trial, a Multnomah County jury convicted Michael Anthony Panarites, 40, on multiple charges related to persistent violence against a former partner. The verdict was announced on Thursday. According to the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office, Panarites faces a minimum sentence of 25 years.
Deputy District Attorneys Kenzie Ludwig and Reid Schweitzer presented the state's case against Panarites, who faced multiple domestic violence-related charges, including second-degree attempted murder, stalking, unlawful firearm possession, solicitation of murder, unlawful sexual penetration, and various sexual assault counts. The Honorable Judge Andrew Lavin presided over the trial, where a 12-person jury ultimately reached a unanimous verdict, as reported by the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office.
The Multnomah County District Attorney's Office acknowledged the contributions of Gresham Police Department Detectives Adam Wright and Lindsay Friderich, along with MCDA victim advocate Karla Juarez, in resolving a domestic violence case involving Panarites, who remains in custody awaiting sentencing on March 27. The Multnomah County District Attorney's Office stated, "Domestic and sexual violence are widespread issues."
