More than three decades after a notorious Portland nightclub murder made him a household name for all the wrong reasons, former Starry Night owner Larry Hurwitz is back behind bars. The 71-year-old convicted killer was booked into the Clackamas County Jail earlier this week on a parole hold and suspicion of fourth-degree assault, a new twist in a criminal history that already includes a 1990s murder conviction and later narcotics allegations. Authorities say he remains in custody while prosecutors and parole officials decide what to do next.
The latest arrest was recorded on Jan. 16 in county booking logs, which list Hurwitz on suspicion of fourth-degree assault and a possible parole violation, according to OregonLive. The report states he was taken into custody in Clackamas County and is being housed at the county jail while prosecutors and parole authorities review the case.
Convicted In The Killing Of A Young Promoter
Hurwitz has long been tied to one of Portland’s most infamous music scene crimes. In 1990, 21-year-old publicity agent Timothy Moreau disappeared, then was later found dead after what investigators described as a confrontation linked to a counterfeit-ticket scheme. Coverage of the lengthy investigation recounts that Hurwitz eventually pleaded no contest and spent roughly eight years in prison before his release in 2008. Willamette Week has documented the case and its aftermath in detail.
2019 Drug Case And Cash Seizure
Hurwitz surfaced in headlines again in 2019 when authorities in California arrested him on narcotics-related allegations. Local reporting from that time said officers seized more than $300,000 in cash and about four pounds of cocaine during the investigation. That case sparked new legal battles over his supervised release and exposed him to additional potential penalties, as outlined by The Portland Tribune.
What The New Allegation Could Mean Legally
Under Oregon law, assault in the fourth degree is typically charged as a Class A misdemeanor, although certain aggravating factors can push it into Class C felony territory. A suspected parole violation can also land someone back in custody quickly while officials weigh possible revocation or other sanctions. See ORS 163.160, along with county booking records, for the legal framework that underpins Hurwitz’s current hold.
A Case That Still Haunts Portland’s Music Scene
More than thirty years later, the Moreau case still lingers over Portland’s music history. It spawned a civil wrongful-death settlement and extensive reporting that linked Hurwitz to alleged fraud at the old Starry Night nightclub. The settlement, the investigation and the broader cultural fallout have all been unpacked in prior coverage by The Portland Tribune.
OregonLive reported that, as of publication, neither the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office nor Hurwitz's attorney had issued a public statement about the latest arrest. Prosecutors and parole officials are expected to determine whether to file new charges, pursue sanctions under the parole hold, or both.
