Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Cheryl Albrecht granted a motion Friday to amend the murder charges in Jeremy Christian's case, removing the possibility of the death penalty.
Christian is charged with stabbing three people, killing two of them, on board a Portland light rail train on May 26, 2017.
Prosecutors and Christian's defense team had both filed motions asking the judge to amend the two counts of aggravated murder and one count of attempted aggravated murder to first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.
After hearing from both sides the judge agreed to the change and literally scratched out the words "aggravated," replacing it with "first degree" on the indictment in front of her.
Earlier this year, the Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 1013, which narrowed the definition of aggravated murder, the state's only capital charge. Murder in the first degree carries the possibility of life in prison.
Christian, who is in custody, was in court Friday. He was escorted into court by corrections deputies.
Jeremy Christian in court in downtown Portland, Ore., on Friday, Nov. 1, 2019.
Conrad Wilson / OPB
Albrecht began Friday's relatively short hearing by cautioning Christian against speaking to anyone other than his attorney during the proceeding and future proceedings, including the trial. Christian has become known for making outbursts during court proceedings, at times leading to his removal from the courtroom.
"OK, I just heard victims aren't victims anymore," Christian responded.
"I told you not to speak out of turn," Albrecht replied.
The judge outlined some dates for the upcoming trial. Jury selection is slated to begin Jan. 21, 2020 and the trial set to run through most of February.