DA to present murder case to grand jury

By Terry Murry on Tuesday, July 13th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News Featured Stories

HEPPNER – Sixth Circuit Court Judge Dan Hill arraigned alleged murderer Brett Ian Carson, 43, of Irrigon Friday and has scheduled another court date for this Friday. Meanwhile, Carson will have to stay at the Umatilla County Jail.

“Judge Hill set no bail on the case, so at this point the defendant is not able to post bail to leave,” Morrow County District Attorney Justin Nelson said.

Nelson plans to present the case against Carson in the shooting death of Donald Eugene Beal, 53, of Irrigon on Thursday at the Oregon Trail RV Park to a Morrow County grand jury this week. He said the grand jury’s decision could influence the topic of the appearance this Friday.

“It will either be a preliminary hearing or a presentation of an indictment,” Nelson said. “Our intent is not to go through a preliminary hearing, it’s to go through a grand jury process.”

Hill also ordered the Oregon Office of Public Defense Services to find an attorney for Carson.

Photo: Umatilla County Jail mugshot of Brett Ian Carson