Report on Recent Murder Convictions and Criminal Investigations in Several Areas

May 9, 2026, 21:19
USOther

Introduction

This report provides details on recent court decisions and ongoing police investigations regarding three separate deadly incidents in Morgan County, Multnomah County, and York City.

Main Body

In Morgan County, Jaclyn Elaine Skuce was found guilty of three counts of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole for the 2020 killing of Anthony Larry Sheppard. Prosecutors emphasized that Skuce hired Logan McKinley Delp to kill the victim so that he could not attend a child custody hearing. Although the defense argued that Delp was hired for protection and mentioned previous abuse by the victim, the jury decided there was enough evidence of intent to convict her. Other people were also involved; Logan Delp received a similar life sentence, while Lajuhn Keith Smart Jr. was sentenced to 20 years after pleading guilty to felony murder. Legal proceedings for Aaron Carter Howard and Angela Marie Stolz are still continuing. Meanwhile, in Multnomah County, a grand jury has formally charged 20-year-old Damaree A. Baxter for the September 2025 murder of Shiloh Thanos-Young. Baxter had been in jail since April 2025 for crimes related to carjacking and illegal weapons, and he now faces first- and second-degree murder charges. Consequently, the investigation into the shooting in Northwest Portland is still active. Finally, in York City, the Coroner's Office identified 15-year-old Qual Harris as the victim of a fatal shooting in Penn Park on May 5. This happened shortly after another murder on May 1 involving Nidair Jordon Collier. Authorities have charged Quinten T. Hutty with criminal homicide in the Collier case, and they are still searching for information regarding the death of Qual Harris.

Conclusion

Currently, the sentencing in the Skuce case is complete, legal proceedings for Baxter are beginning, and police investigations in York City remain open.

Learning

The Logic of 'Cause and Effect' Connectors

To move from A2 to B2, you must stop using and, but, and so for everything. B2 speakers use Logical Connectors to show how one event leads to another.

Look at these transitions from the text:

  1. "Consequently..." →\rightarrow (Instead of So) Text: "...he now faces first- and second-degree murder charges. Consequently, the investigation... is still active." The Upgrade: Use this when the second sentence is a direct, formal result of the first.

  2. "Although..." →\rightarrow (Instead of But) Text: "Although the defense argued that Delp was hired for protection... the jury decided there was enough evidence." The Upgrade: This creates a "contrast clause." It tells the reader that despite one fact, the outcome was different.

💡 Quick Shift: Precision Verbs

A2 students say "The police said" or "The judge gave a punishment." B2 students use Legal/Formal Collocations:

  • "Found guilty" →\rightarrow Not just "said he did it," but a formal legal decision.
  • "Sentenced to" →\rightarrow This is the specific verb for receiving a prison term.
  • "Pleading guilty" →\rightarrow When a person admits to the crime before the trial ends.

🚀 Pro-Tip for Fluency

Notice the phrase "still continuing" and "remain open." Instead of saying "The case is not finished," use these expressions to describe an ongoing situation. It sounds more professional and fluid.

Vocabulary Learning

capital
serious, especially leading to death or life imprisonment
Example:The defendant was charged with capital murder, which could result in a life sentence.
murder
the unlawful killing of a human being with intent
Example:The police are trying to find the person responsible for the murder.
sentence
the punishment decided by a court
Example:The judge gave the defendant a sentence of 20 years in prison.
parole
the release of a prisoner before the end of their sentence, under conditions
Example:He was denied parole after the court found he was still dangerous.
custody
the legal right to care for a child or person
Example:The court ordered the parents to share custody of their son.
prosecutors
lawyers who represent the state in criminal cases
Example:Prosecutors presented evidence at the trial.
emphasized
stressed or highlighted
Example:The prosecutor emphasized the defendant's motive.
hired
employed for a job
Example:He hired a private investigator to find evidence.
defense
the side that argues against the prosecution
Example:The defense argued that the defendant was innocent.
jury
a group of people chosen to decide a case
Example:The jury found the defendant guilty after a long deliberation.
evidence
facts or objects that prove something
Example:The evidence showed the suspect had a motive.
intent
the plan or desire to do something
Example:The court found that the defendant had the intent to kill.
convict
to find guilty of a crime
Example:The jury convicted the suspect after hearing all the evidence.
felony
a serious crime punishable by imprisonment
Example:The suspect was charged with felony murder.
grand jury
a jury that decides whether to bring charges
Example:A grand jury decided to indict the suspect.
charged
accused of a crime
Example:She was charged with drug possession.
criminal
relating to crime
Example:The criminal investigation lasted several months.
investigation
the process of looking into something
Example:The investigation revealed new evidence.
shooting
the act of firing a gun
Example:The shooting left several people injured.
coroner
a person who investigates deaths
Example:The coroner ruled the death as accidental.
victim
someone harmed or killed
Example:The victim was found in the alley.
fatal
causing death
Example:The fatal accident claimed many lives.
searching
looking for something
Example:The police are searching for the missing child.
information
facts or details
Example:The authorities requested more information.
proceedings
the legal process
Example:The proceedings will continue next week.
investigations
multiple investigations
Example:The investigations are still ongoing.
open
not closed or resolved
Example:The case remains open.
currently
at the present time
Example:The suspect is currently in custody.
beginning
the start of a process
Example:The prosecution is in the beginning stages.
remaining
still left after some have been dealt with
Example:There are many remaining questions.
court
the place where legal matters are decided
Example:The court will hear the case next month.
decisions
choices made by a judge
Example:The court made several important decisions.
police
law enforcement officers
Example:The police arrived at the scene quickly.
cases
legal matters
Example:The prosecutor handled many cases.