A Portland man who says he was working on a documentary about homelessness was beaten inside his Northeast Portland apartment and later taken to the hospital, after police say a man he had taken in turned on him with a metal rod and other makeshift weapons.
Portland police were called on Monday to a reported disturbance at 4242 NE Halsey Street in Northeast Portland. According to court documents, officers arrived to find a man later identified as 31-year-old Keith Jubarey Walker holding a rod and moving toward another man inside the building. Walker was arrested at the scene and arraigned Tuesday on multiple counts, including three counts of second-degree assault, three counts of unlawful use of a weapon, burglary, theft, strangulation, felon in possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of methamphetamine, prosecutors allege, as reported by KATU.
The victim told officers he had been making a documentary about people experiencing homelessness and had allowed Walker to stay at his apartment. He said the confrontation started after he asked a woman who was with Walker not to smoke inside. According to his account in court records, Walker put him in a choke hold, then began hitting him with a metal curtain rod while shouting, “You know I played baseball right.” After the rod broke, the victim said Walker kept swinging, using particle-board objects and a broomstick, and took his cellphone. Prosecutors say officers later found baggies of methamphetamine, an unloaded handgun, an electronic scale and empty baggies on Walker, according to KATU.
Charges And Prior Record
Court documents reviewed by prosecutors state that Walker has a prior conviction in Fresno, California. In October 2016, he was convicted of felony inflicting injury on a spouse and a misdemeanor count for threatening to terrorize. He is currently being held without bail while the Multnomah County case moves forward.
Risk For Reporters And Documentary Makers
People documenting Portland’s streets and protests in recent years have encountered physical risks that range from shoving to injuries and equipment seizures, and those incidents have sparked legal fights and public debate. As documented by the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, several episodes in Portland have involved journalists and documentarians being pushed, arrested or hurt while covering tense scenes.
Legal Implications
The array of charges Walker faces includes several felony counts that could carry significant prison time if he is convicted. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case, and upcoming hearings and filings will appear on the county court docket…