News from District Attorney Kevin Barton

Volume 9 | April 2023

Welcome to the September 2022 edition of the Washington County District Attorney’s Office newsletter.

I hope you have enjoyed a nice and relaxing summer. As summer winds down and kids go back to school, we remain busy in the DA’s Office. In fact, as I am writing this message, we just finished prosecuting one murder case and are about to start another. We are proud to report that Washington County continues to be the safest large county in Oregon, with a crime rate that is 30% below the state average and 50% below neighboring Multnomah County.

Here’s an overview of some of our work you can read about in this newsletter.

We recently joined the Beaverton Police Department to announce charges against a theft ring believed to be responsible for approximately 40,000 stolen catalytic converters in the Portland metro area. These charges made national news and represent our commitment to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of quality-of-life crimes in our community.

Community outreach and engagement remains important. We routinely visit various rotaries, chambers of commerce, and other community groups throughout the county. In August, I enjoyed joining Hillsboro Chief Coleman on the local Spanish-language television show Elemento Latino to discuss public safety issues affecting our Latino community.

We are working hard to respond to several challenges facing our community. The decriminalization of possession of drugs such as meth and heroin remain a significant concern, as do threats of mass violence to places like schools or churches. I believe new legislation by our state lawmakers is needed to address both issues and we are working to advocate for these changes.

We also have good news to celebrate. You can read about a recent graduation from our highly successful Veteran’s Treatment Court. You can also learn about our celebration of Elder Abuse Awareness Month and our commitment to protecting elders and vulnerable adults from victimization.

I wish you and your family a safe and healthy fall!

-District Attorney Kevin Barton

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Courthouse News

Billy Lee Oatney Convicted of Murder for Second Time in the 1996 Death and Sexual Assault of Susi Larsen

HILLSBORO, Ore. (February 7, 2023) — Billy Lee Oatney, age 60, was convicted of Murder in the First Degree with life without parole for the 1996 death and sexual assault of Susi Larsen — for the second time, Tuesday, February 14, 2023. Oatney was convicted for Larsen’s death in 1998 but was granted a new trial after the Oregon Court of Appeals determined Oatney’s attorney did not provide adequate representation at trial. The trial lasted three weeks.

“Mr. Oatney is one of the most dangerous predators our office has prosecuted,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Bracken McKey. “Ensuring public safety and upholding justice for victims like Susi Larsen to the fullest extent is a top priority in Washington County — and our county is a safer place because of this conviction. Our hearts are with the family and friends of Miss Larsen who had to re-visit this tragic event decades later." Read the full press release here.

Washington County Cold Case Unit Investigation Leads to Murder Charges in 1988 Unsolved Homicide

HILLSBORO, Ore. (March 2, 2023) — Robert Elmer Atrops, age 68, was arrested Thursday, March 2, 2023, for the 1988 murder of his estranged wife.

The Washington County Sheriff Office’s Tactical Negotiations Team facilitated the arrest at the defendant’s home in Newberg, Ore. around 4 a.m. Thursday morning after a Washington County Grand Jury issued an indictment charging Mr. Atrops with Murder in the Second Degree on Wednesday. He will be held without bail at the Washington County Jail.

“I am proud of the work our Cold Case Unit has done to ensure that victims and cases are not forgotten, despite the passage of time,” said Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton. “These dedicated investigators and prosecutors are sending a clear message that we will hold criminals accountable in Washington County — no matter how long it takes.” Read the full press release here.

Rapid Fitness to Proceed 2022 Numbers

HILLSBORO, Ore. (March 2, 2023) — The Washington County District Attorney’s Office is pleased to announce the 2022 metrics for Washington County’s Rapid Fitness to Proceed Program.

From January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022, the Rapid Fitness to Proceed Program saved 1,472 total jail days for 39 defendants, freeing up critically needed jail space for other criminal defendants awaiting court appearances. If calculated in dollars and cents at $264.78 per person, per day, this would amount to $475,015.32.

Through this improved efficiency, offenders arrested for lower-level crimes spend less time in jail pre-trial, freeing up limited jail space for more dangerous offenders.

“Our Rapid Fitness to Proceed program continues to show great results,” said District Attorney Kevin Barton. “At a time when resources are stretched and we need to be as efficient as possible, this innovative program allows us to prioritize the use of hospital beds for those who need treatment and jail beds for those who need incarceration.” Read the full press release here.

Sentence Hearing for James Dante Halling Amid Attempted Murder and Burglary Charges

HILLSBORO, Ore. (March 10, 2023) — Dante Halling, age 60, was sentenced Friday, March 10, 2023, after pleading guilty to six counts of Attempted Murder and one count of Burglary in the Second for the attempted murder of five sheriff’s deputies and one Tualatin Police Department officer in August of 2019. Mr. Halling to 45 years in prison, all of which will be served under Ballot Measure 11.

“Judge Roberts sent an important message today — that criminals are still punished in Washington County, and we will not tolerate violence directed at law enforcement or other first responders,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Bracken McKey. Read the full press release here.

Looking for additional information on the Aid and Assist process? FAQ’s now available on County website

To address the challenges Washington County community faces, the county has developed its first Aid and Assist FAQ informational webpage on the Washington County website.

The goal of these pages is to provide an overview of the challenges the County is facing and discuss solutions in place. View the FAQ page by clicking here.

In the Community

2023 Oregon Diversity Legal Job Fair Recap

Washington County District Attorney’s Office and 26 participating employers throughout Oregon’s legal community helped lead the efforts in hosting the third annual Oregon Diversity Legal Job Fair this year on March 8, 2023. The mission of the Oregon Diversity Legal Job Fair is to connect Oregon’s legal community with aspiring, diverse legal professionals who reflect the values of the people and clients they serve as a means to strengthen our workforce and community.

The 2023 Oregon Diversity Legal Job Fair was attended by 88 registered job seekers and supported by 13 sponsors. This year’s job fair featured two live panel discussions, including: “Conversations with Our Attorneys: Navigating Your Career as a New Attorney” (for aspiring and new attorneys) and “What Are Employers Looking for in a Candidate? Navigating Hiring in the Legal Community” (for job seekers pursuing non-attorney positions in the legal field).

The virtual portion of the job fair was followed by an in-person networking and social hour, hosted by Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, that allowed job seekers to take their networking beyond the screen.

Visit www.ODLJF.org to learn more and visit the Oregon Diversity Legal Job Fair Facebook and LinkedIn pages for future updates.

2023 High School Mock Trial

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office sponsored the Hillsboro Mock Trial Team in support of the students’ Regional Classroom Law Project Competition this spring. In preparation for the competition, Deputy District Attorneys from our office worked with a team of nearly 15 students each week to present the Civil case: Maren Murgia v. Hayden Hardy. Our staff also arranged guest speaker presentations to enhance the students’ learning and perspective on the courtroom process.

The Hillsboro Mock Trial Team was required to play several roles throughout the competition, including cross-examining attorneys, direct examining attorneys, and opening and closing attorneys and witnesses. The students also learned how to make legal objections and learned about high-level legal concepts such as “Respondeat Superior.” These challenges required the students to dive into the nuances of character evidence and hearsay — some of the more challenging topics lawyers face daily. We are proud of the commitment and growth of the participating students this season.

Child Abuse Prevention Month, Sexual Assault Awareness Month and National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

Throughout April, the Washington County Child Abuse Multidisciplinary Team joins with Washington County leaders and community-based organizations to honor Child Abuse Prevention Month, Sexual Assault Awareness Month and National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. To recognize these observances, our office coordinates and participates in various events with our partners to promote the help and resources available to victims while educating and informing our community on the significance of these valuable awareness efforts. Click here to view this year's calendar of events for Child Abuse Prevention Month, Sexual Assault Awareness Month and National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

New Employee Welcome

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office would like to give a warm welcome to new members of our staff. We are excited to have their passion and talent enhance our office’s efforts in the community.

Daniella Arboleda Hurtado, Legal Specialist – Digital Evidence and Misdemeanor Teams

Erin Brady, Deputy District Attorney – Felony Team

Alyssa Camp, Deputy District Attorney – Felony Team

Kyla Duncan, Victim Assistance Specialist

Julianne East, Senior Legal Specialist – Veterans Treatment Court Coordinator

Erika Eden, Second Year Law Clerk

Michelle Gutierrez, Legal Specialist – Reception Team

Hailey Hayes, Senior Legal Specialist – General Felony Support (Fugitives/Post Conviction Matters)

Noemi Hernandez Sanchez, Victim Assistance Specialist

Daniel Hesson, Deputy District Attorney – Felony Team (returning employee)

Allison Kempf, Legal Specialist- Felony Team

Fabiola Mascote, Legal Specialist – Child Support Team