This story will be updated.
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.
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.”
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.”
We’ll update this story as we gather more details.
This article appears in The Source Weekly November 10, 2022.
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This is an injustice. The courts sanction violence against white people, who are not permitted to defend themselves.
One tribute to Barry Washington (in addition to a downtown memorial) might be an agreement by bar owners to ban concealed-carry in their establishments.
Excellent comment. If bars and restaurants in places like Austin, TX can post signs that say “leave your guns at home,” then surely bars and restaurants in Bend can do the same. How about the Chamber and Downtown Business Association developing this campaign?
How can you continuously make advances towards a man’s fiance and not expect a conflict? Washington was the instigator. If he was white and Cranston was black everyone would say Washington got what he deserved
Wow, a very devastating situation all the way around. A swift decision made that can never be taken back. Sincere Condolences to the family. This didn’t need to happen. I would never take my CCW out on a drinking night. I’m sure that young man wishes now that he didn’t either.
You brought a gun to downtown Bend (usually the safest place in town) on a drinking night. Big dude (black or white) hits on your girl. Either fight him solo, with your buddies and or take her and just walk away. When he said he shot at “center of mass”, he knew he wasn’t trying to wound him. Now he’ll go to jail for a very bad decision. Not good for Washington family or Cranston.
Actually, Thomas M, it’s the very definition of JUSTICE. You’re entitled to your opinions, and you’re entitled to be a raging bigot, but you’re not entitled to inflict violence on Black people as you clearly wish, not without having JUSTICE served upon you.
The only opinion that matters is that of the impartial jury. They were presented with all the evidence and defense and found him guilty. That’s how the system works.