January 26, 2024
Today Keffer White was found to be guilty except for insanity on all three previously indicted charges for the June 2022 killing of Donald Pierce, 82, and the assault of Edward Lichenstein (who was 88 at the time of the assault) in downtown Portland: one count of Murder in the Second Degree, one count of Attempted Murder in the First Degree, and one count of Assault in the Second degree.
As a result, Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Benjamin Souede sentenced White to a lifetime commitment to the Psychiatric Security Review Board (PSRB). Per the court judgment, White is affected by a qualifying mental disorder, presents a substantial danger to others that requires commitment to the Oregon State Hospital (OSH), and is not a proper subject for conditional release. He will be transported to OSH under the jurisdiction of the PSRB.
Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Nicole Hermann prosecuted this case. The DA’s Office thanks the PPB officers and detectives who worked on this case, as well as the victim advocates who supported the victims and their families.
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*Original Release 7/14/2022*
DA Mike Schmidt announces murder charge for Keffer White
PORTLAND, Oregon – Today Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that Keffer James White, 29, was indicted by a Multnomah County grand jury for Murder in the Second Degree, Attempted Murder in the First Degree, and Assault in the Second Degree.
The charges stem from an alleged attack on June 25. One of the two victims of the attack, Donald Pierce, 82, subsequently died as a result of his injuries. See previously released information here.
Witnesses reported that White stated he was going to kill the victims during the attack. White is currently in custody without bail.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. White is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
#MCDA#