Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt today announced that a grand jury indicted Jesse James Harold, 33, on two charges for a January 2024 fatal stabbing in the Old Town neighborhood:
- One count of Murder in the Second Degree
- One count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon
On January 12, 2024 at 8:05 a.m., PPB officers from Central Precinct responded to a report of a man who appeared to be suffering from stab wounds on Northwest Naito Parkway near Northwest Everett Street. When officers arrived they located a victim with serious injuries. Private security officers were already on scene and applied trauma first aid. Emergency medical services arrived and took over patient care. The victim, who was later identified as 32-year-old Deante Dean Watts, was transported to the hospital by ambulance; despite lifesaving efforts, Watts died at the hospital. The medical examiner determined he died of homicide by stabbing. PPB later identified Harold as the suspect.
Upon review of the evidence provided by law enforcement, Senior Deputy DA Kevin Demer presented the case to a grand jury, which returned a true bill of indictment on March 14.
Harold is currently in custody in Multnomah County. He also faces weapons, burglary, and other charges in two other pending cases in Multnomah County.
A charging instrument is only an accusation of a crime. Harold is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
###