Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel announced last Thursday that he will not file charges against Kevin Perry and Amanda Weinman in the shooting death of Shane Munoz on June 23, 2012. He explained at a press conference that, based on the available evidence and witness testimony, he is "confident" that a crime was not committed. Hummel discounted theories about a pre-existing relationship between the victim and the then-couple, saying he believes they did not meet prior to Perry and Weinman discovering Munoz in their home that tragic summer night.
"We may never know why Shane Munoz ended up at Kevin Perry's house," Hummel said. "We do know there was no evidence that Shane entered the house to commit a burglary. But, as of now, the only person we know, who knows why Shane entered the house, is Shane."
Hummel also spoke to broader social issues raised by the case—including the gap between Bend's haves and have-nots and the perception that money trumps justice—and said that while they are topics worthy of community conversation, they bear no direct relevance to Munoz's death.
More than 300 people gathered at the Riverhouse Convention Center Thursday night to share their perspectives on the legalization of marijuana. The listening session, organized by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, addressed a wide range of topics, with attendees holding up red, green, or yellow cards to indicate their position on the issues. Based on the cards and commentary from the crowd, it appeared that most present were involved or interested in getting involved in the marijuana industry. But there were concerns raised by audience members about the appeal and access of edibles (particularly gummy bears) to children and ensuring sufficient setbacks to prevent growhouse odors from disrupting neighbors. Recreational use becomes legal July 1 of this year, but pot shops are not likely to open for business until the end of 2016.
While Bend already has an abundance of medical marijuana dispensaries, they have been banned in areas under the jurisdiction of Deschutes County since the Board of County Commissioners established a moratorium last March. But that may be about to change. That ordinance will sunset on May 1, and county staff are preparing for the anticipated repeal by drafting amendments to set a permitting process and standards of operation for dispensaries. Staff are proposing medical marijuana dispensaries be a "conditional use" in the Exclusive Farm Use (EFU) Zone and an "outright permitted" use in rural commercial (i.e. Tumalo, Terrebonne, Sunriver) and industrial zones. The proposals are open for public and agency comment. The Deschutes County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing March 12 and the Board of County Commissioners is expected to hear the proposal April 15.
