Michael Ramirez.
Ah, multiculturalism.
Always bringing all the races together.
Michael Ramirez, 19, was arraigned Tuesday via video at the Multnomah County Justice Center on murder and unlawful use of a weapon charges in the deaths of Lorenzo Gordon, 18, and Sergey Peshkov, 44. Court documents show his trial is set to begin July 30.
Ramirez knew Gordon well and was distraught at the news of his death, said Brandi Larson, Ramirez’s mother.
“They were really close,” she told The Oregonian/OregonLive. “He considered him family.”
She said she didn’t know if her son knew Peshkov.
She said she doesn’t believe her son killed either man.
Peshkov was found shot dead around 7:30 a.m. May 24 in the front yard of a home in the 10300 block of Southeast Reedway Street. Gordon was found shot dead about 8 p.m. May 25 in the 600 block of Southeast 162nd Avenue.
Portland police have declined to say if the two killings are connected or if Ramirez knew either of the men.
…
According to a news release from the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, Ramirez was arrested on May 26 in Gresham and booked into the jail on a hold from the Oregon Youth Authority. He was indicted Monday on murder charges while he was already in custody for a probation violation.
A court document from a previous criminal charge said Ramirez had been diagnosed with schizophrenia.
I’m always skeptical when a black or brown is diagnosed with a mental disorder.
To what extent is it even possible to ascertain the moment when normal colored dysfunction ends and genuine mental illness begins?
Lorenzo Gordon, left, and Sergey Peshkov.