A Deschutes County jury has reached a verdict in the trial against Ian Cranston, the man who shot and killed Barry Washington during a fight outside a bar in downtown Bend in September 2021.
"I'm pleased to have some sort of justice for my son, it's been very hard and hopefully, it's just something that will bring a little bit of closure. I'm just so happy that I know that the jurors were — this was a hard case — I'm happy that they didn't side with the self-defense. And they've seen the truth, and I'm just happy to have some sort of Justice," Lawanda Roberson, Washington's mother, told reporters outside of the Deschutes County Courthouse.
The jury declared Cranston guilty on the counts of first-degree manslaughter and second-degree manslaughter as well as Assault 1 and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, but not guilty on the count of second-degree murder—the most serious of the charges Cranston faced.
According to Oregon law, first-degree manslaughter is defined as an act "committed recklessly under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life." That one charge is punishable for a minimum of 10 years. Cranston's Sentencing is scheduled for November 28. Cranston's attorney says they plan to appeal.
"There were a number of legal rulings in the case that we are going to be addressing through the appellate process, but that time is to come," said Kevin Sali, Cranston's defense attorney.
Jamal Block/Facebook
Barry Washington had moved to Bend not long before he was shot and killed outside The Capitol in September 2021.
Cranston said that on Sept. 19. 2021, he was smoking outside of The Capitol in downtown Bend when Washington approached his group and called his fiancee Allison Butler beautiful. Cranston said he was initially polite when asking Washington to move along. Cranston said Butler rebuffed Washington, who continued talking to her, and that Cranston intervened after sensing her discomfort.
Throughout the trial Cranston's attorneys sought to show that Cranston felt threatened and shot Washington out of self-defense. The prosecution maintained that Cranston had his ego bruised and shot Washington out of retaliation.
During closing arguments on Tuesday, defense attorneys displayed an explosive video from nearby surveillance cameras that captured Cranston taking a puff of a cigarette before moving to render aid to Washington, who lay bleeding on the sidewalk. Defense attorney Michael Swart said, "Clint Eastwood couldn't have been prouder."
Throughout the trial Cranston's attorneys sought to show that Cranston felt threatened and shot Washington out of self-defense. The prosecution maintained that Cranston had his ego bruised and shot Washington out of retaliation.
During closing arguments on Tuesday, defense attorneys displayed an explosive video from nearby surveillance cameras that captured Cranston taking a puff of a cigarette before moving to render aid to Washington, who lay bleeding on the sidewalk. Defense attorney Michael Swart said, "Clint Eastwood couldn't have been prouder."
Dean Guernsey/Bulletin media pool
Ian Cranston during his murder trial at the Deschutes County Courthouse. Cranston had a concealed carry permit and was wearing his gun while out drinking in downtown Bend that night in September 2021—an act that is discouraged in concealed carry permit classes.
In a statement today, District Attorney John Hummel said:
“Today is not a day to rejoice, nor is it a day to celebrate. Today is a day of accountability for Ian Cranston and it is day 424 of Barry Washington’s family and our community mourning his passing. By all accounts, Barry was a dear friend to many and a wonderful son to Lawanda Roberson. This verdict does not provide Ms. Roberson what she ultimately wants, but hopefully knowing that the residents of Deschutes County valued Barry’s life provides her some comfort moving forward.”
Supporters of Washington gathered outside of the courthouse and led chants after the verdict, and cheered in support when Washington's family exited the courthouse. Washington's family joined demonstrators in a march to the corner of Oregon Ave. and Wall St., where the shooting took place and where a makeshift memorial to Washington has been erected and maintained. Roberson and other family-members thanked the demonstrators as well as activist groups the Central Oregon Peacekeepers and The Father's Group, who have marched from the courthouse to the corner of Oregon and Wall throughout the trial.
"I've been with him since diapers, I've been with him with Easter baskets, I've been with him since the first day of us being able to come home together and losing him has been one of the worst experiences I've had in my life, I wouldn't want anybody to ever go through anything like that," Deja Tillman, Washington's first cousin, told marchers. "But I thank you guys for being here, and I'm happy with the fact that there was something served."
Supporters of Washington gathered outside of the courthouse and led chants after the verdict, and cheered in support when Washington's family exited the courthouse. Washington's family joined demonstrators in a march to the corner of Oregon Ave. and Wall St., where the shooting took place and where a makeshift memorial to Washington has been erected and maintained. Roberson and other family-members thanked the demonstrators as well as activist groups the Central Oregon Peacekeepers and The Father's Group, who have marched from the courthouse to the corner of Oregon and Wall throughout the trial.
"I've been with him since diapers, I've been with him with Easter baskets, I've been with him since the first day of us being able to come home together and losing him has been one of the worst experiences I've had in my life, I wouldn't want anybody to ever go through anything like that," Deja Tillman, Washington's first cousin, told marchers. "But I thank you guys for being here, and I'm happy with the fact that there was something served."
We'll update this story as we gather more details.
