Portland, Oregon — A Multnomah County jury found Mike Bivins, a former journalist, guilty on Thursday of all 11 counts in his bias crime trial, including serious felony charges of arson and criminal mischief. The verdict stems from a series of bias-driven attacks in May 2022 that targeted minority communities in the city.
The jury determined that Bivins was responsible for damaging property at multiple locations, including breaking windows and vandalizing Congregation Beth Israel with a Nazi-themed death threat. Additionally, he attempted to ignite a fire at the Muslim Community Center while individuals were present and also caused damage to another synagogue and a restaurant owned by a Black individual.
Deliberations lasted around four hours as the 12-member jury, comprising five men and seven women, reached their decision. Bivins displayed tension during the proceedings but remained composed as each count was pronounced. Prosecutor Quinn Zemel emphasized that Bivins’s actions were explicitly motivated by hostility toward the victims’ races and religious identities.
Once a freelance journalist for various local outlets, Bivins’s trajectory shifted drastically from covering extremist activities to embodying those very ideologies. Friends and colleagues noted a deterioration in his mental well-being around 2021. His last article for a local publication was published in 2019.
Prosecutor Charlie Weiss expressed hope that the jury’s decision sends a clear message against hate crimes. “People in our community won’t stand for this kind of hate, and places of worship and businesses should be safe for everyone in Portland,” he stated.
Sentencing for Bivins is scheduled for September 19. Prosecutors have not specified the length of prison time they will pursue but indicated that multiple parties have requested restitution. Additionally, Bivins is facing federal charges related to his actions.
This verdict marks a significant moment in the ongoing dialogue regarding community safety and hate crimes in Portland. It highlights the importance of holding individuals accountable for acts motivated by bias, ensuring that all residents can feel secure in their neighborhoods and places of worship.
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