Vale man who pleaded no contest to Baker City deadly shooting faces uncertain future
By Joe Hathaway on Wednesday, June 19th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER CITY — A Vale man who pleaded no contest in 2021 to three counts in the deadly shooting of a woman in Baker City in 2020 is back in Baker County, facing a question whether to challenge his plea or not.
Shawn Quentin Greenwood faces mounting legal uncertainty following a recent Oregon Court of Appeals ruling concerning his involvement in the 2020 fatal shooting of Angela Parrish in Baker City.
Greenwood, 53, had previously entered a plea deal in 2021, admitting to charges of criminally negligent homicide, first-degree burglary, and attempting to elude law enforcement. However, a decision by the Appeals Court in April now allows Greenwood the option to withdraw his plea.
The decision was prompted by allegations that lead investigator Baker City Police Detective Shannon Regan violated Greenwood’s constitutional rights by monitoring phone calls between Greenwood and his attorney in September 2020.
The appeals court’s ruling led to the dismissal of burglary and first-degree murder charges added to Greenwood’s indictment post-phone call incident. Nevertheless, the court upheld six other charges initially filed, including second-degree murder and first-degree assault, each carrying substantial mandatory minimum sentences upon conviction under Oregon’s Measure 11 laws.
Greenwood’s current sentence, established in 2021, dictates a 90-month prison term, with his earliest potential release date slated for January 9, 2026, as per Oregon Department of Corrections records.
Baker County District Attorney Greg Baxter says because of the Court of Appeals decision, Greenwood has been remanded back to Baker County for a status check on his case.
“Mr. Greenwood will have to decide per the Court of Appeals decision whether he is going to stick with or withdraw his plea,” said Baxter.
Greenwood is due in court on Thursday, June 20.
