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Portland Jury Acquits Gary Edwards in MAX Stabbing After Disputed Racial Slur

Silent surveillance video plus later body‑cam audio left the slur’s timing unclear, creating reasonable doubt on self‑defense.

Overview

  • A Multnomah County jury returned a not guilty verdict on Oct. 31 in the second‑degree assault case, as reported in early December coverage.
  • Edwards admitted stabbing Gregory Howard Jr. on July 7 at the Union Station MAX stop but said he acted in self‑defense triggered by a racial slur.
  • Silent transit video shows Edwards approach with a knife, Howard rise and shove, a brief scuffle, then a stab to Howard’s shoulder.
  • Body‑cam audio recorded Howard using the N‑word after officers intervened, while testimony conflicted over whether the same slur was spoken before the stabbing.
  • Prosecutors argued Edwards initiated and controlled the encounter and sought a Measure 11 sentence, but jurors found the state failed to disprove self‑defense beyond a reasonable doubt.