Mr. Beach’s client was accused of Harassment (class B). This type of harassment charge carries up to 6 months of jail if convicted. The alleged victim claimed that Mr. Beach’s client had pushed her, and that she fell due to the push.

When he was initially arrested, Mr. Beach’s client denied the allegation. Mr. Beach’s client was eligible for the Domestic Violence Deferred Sentencing program but declined that option since he said he didn’t do the crime.

At trial, Mr. Beach proved that before the alleged victim made this claim, she had contacted the police because she wanted out of her lease which had a $4000 early termination penalty. The police told her that if she was the victim of domestic violence that there was a provision in Oregon law that would allow her out of her lease without penalty. Shortly thereafter, she alleged that Mr. Beach’s client pushed her and that it was an act of domestic violence.

After the jury heard Mr. Beach’s cross examination of the alleged victim and his subsequent argument, they returned to the jury room. When a jury returns to the jury room after the completion of evidence and argument, the judge tells them to first select a foreman and then to begin deliberations. Fourteen minutes after returning to the jury room, they signaled to the court that they had obtained a unanimous verdict. We don’t know how much time they spent selecting a foreman versus deciding the case - but we do know that the unanimous decision was Not Guilty.