Beehler will plead insanity in shooting death

By Terry Murry on Tuesday, June 28th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

HEPPNER – There will be a delay in the second-degree murder trial of Caleb Beehler, 39, of Morrow County. District Attorney Justin Nelson said that Beehler’s attorney, Dean Gushwa, has filed a notice that he plans an insanity defense.

“The evaluation that was done on behalf of Mr. Beehler was done by a privately retained evaluator, basically who worked for and was paid by the defendant,” Nelson said.”

Nelson said that the state is now entitled to seek a second opinion and is trying to schedule a time for Beehler to be evaluated at the Oregon State Hospital in Pendleton. He said the process means Beehler’s trial will be delayed.

“I’m not sure when we’ll get the report back,” he said. “It could be several months later. Right now, though, the state has set a status hearing for Aug. 25.” Beehler is charged with shooting and killing his stepfather, Richard Broadbent, on March 9.