Trial for 2022 Morrow County murder is set for February
By Terry Murry on Thursday, January 25th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
HEPPNER – The man accused of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Richard Broadbent in March 2022 will stand trial on Feb. 12. Morrow County District Attorney Justin Nelson says that last week Caleb Beehler, 41, of Boardman waived his right to a trial by jury. Broadbent had been Beehler’s stepfather since the defendant was 6.
The prosecution of the case has been assigned to Oregon Department of Justice Attorney Dan Wendel, which is a selection that pleased Nelson.
“He was a Umatilla County chief deputy district attorney and he worked there when I was in that office,” Nelson said. “He knows our area, knows our local law enforcement, and really is a great fit to handle this type of case.”
Wendel proved his value last week when icy roads made the going rough from Salem to Heppner.
“Mr. Wendel did not let some snow and ice stop him from driving to Morrow County last week to meet with officers and witnesses on the case and appear in court for about five hours on Thursday for hearings on this case,” he said. “During the hearing the defendant waived his right to a jury trial and requested the case be decided by the judge only. This will reduce the estimated time of the trial from about three weeks to possibly two or less.”
Beehler is in Umatilla County Jail without bond. He was arrested on March 10, 2022 when he turned himself in to the Hermiston Police Department.
