Craigen gets a new lawyer

By Terry Murry on Monday, August 19th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

UMATILLA COUNTY – Once-convicted murderer George West Craigen, 62, of Milton-Freewater will be tried again based on his appeal. Craigen was convicted of killing his neighbor Rob Carter in 2011 in Milton-Freewater. The Oregon Court of Appeals found errors made in the trial and sent the case back. The Umatilla County District Attorney’s Office is ready to try him a second time on the charge of first-degree murder.

His trial is scheduled for March 2025. District Attorney Dan Primus said Friday that Craigen has a new lawyer.

“He was just appointed new counsel and that is just this past week,” Primus said. “With the appointment of new counsel, we kind of have to start our process over.”

Primus said there will be a status check on the case and he hopes that will clarify the time the new attorney, David L. Rich of Hillsboro, will need as he takes over from Elizabeth Baker of Eugene who was a counsel from his first trial.

“Obviously, there is a mountain of discovery they’re going to receive as well as previous 10-day trial they’re going to have to go through,” Primus said. “We were scheduled for a status check next Friday (Aug. 30). I’m not sure if that is going to go or not.”

MyCB photo of George Craigen in Umatilla County Jail for his original trial