What started as a quiet wait for a train at the Portland State University MAX stop on Sunday, Feb. 8, turned into a violent confrontation that prosecutors are now calling a bias-driven attack. A 51-year-old man has been charged with bias crimes after a transgender woman was assaulted while waiting at the SW 6th and Montgomery platform. Officers later recovered a knife at the scene.
What the court documents allege
According to court documents, the woman told police the suspect walked up to her and repeatedly said, "you're a man" before yanking away her umbrella and hitting her with it. Filings state he then grabbed her by the hair, threw her to the ground, and punched her several times while saying, "You don't belong in my country," as reported by KATU.
Officers later reviewed TriMet CCTV footage that court documents say shows the man approaching the woman and attempting to stab her. The knife was recovered at the scene. A Portland State University officer who responded recognized the suspect from a prior probable-cause flyer, according to the filings.
Those same court filings also tie the man to a separate confrontation the day before at Mak's Mini Mart, a small store near campus. Prosecutors say he paced inside the shop asking, "Where is the money" and placed his hands near his waist in a way that appeared to simulate a weapon. A cashier responded by pepper-spraying him, and he left, allegedly slamming the door so hard it damaged the hydraulic stopper and frame. Mak's Mini Mart is listed at 616 SW College St in the PSU area, according to Postcard.
Charges and next hearing
The defendant, identified as 51-year-old William Thomas Ashley in court records, was arraigned Monday on a lengthy list of charges. Prosecutors have filed counts that include bias crime, assault, attempted assault, unlawful use of a weapon, aggravated harassment, attempted assault of a police officer, interfering with public transportation and criminal mischief, according to KATU.
Court records reviewed by prosecutors note prior convictions, including a 2011 battery conviction in California and earlier unlawful-use-of-a-weapon convictions in Multnomah County. Ashley is scheduled to return to Multnomah County Circuit Court on Feb. 18.
Why this matters
The Oregon Department of Justice reports that hate and bias incidents have risen in recent years and operates a statewide bias and hate resource hub. The hub is designed to help victims, witnesses and law enforcement document incidents and find support, including through a hotline. Local advocates say transit platforms and routes near campus are frequent sites for bias-motivated harassment, and that thorough documentation can determine whether prosecutors are able to seek bias enhancements under state law. The DOJ also maintains guidance for law enforcement on how those statutes are applied.
Ashley remains in custody while prosecutors continue building the case. The Feb. 18 hearing is expected to be the next public development, and any new filings or court dates will be reflected on the Multnomah County court calendar as the investigation continues.
