PORTLAND, OREGON – In a landmark decision, a jury has found Jason Robert Steiner, a 35-year-old manager at a La Mota cannabis dispensary, cannabis manager acquitted of all charges, including two counts of first-degree murder. Steiner faced these serious accusations following a fatal shooting incident in October 2024. The verdict, which declared the cannabis manager acquitted, confirmed that Steiner acted in lawful self-defense during a robbery attempt at the North Portland store, a significant win for the cannabis industry security.
The incident unfolded on October 3, 2024, when three masked individuals entered the La Mota store. Surveillance footage showed the suspects holding Steiner at gunpoint, forcing him outside and taking store merchandise. Prosecutors argued that Steiner had opportunities to escape and that resorting to deadly force was unnecessary, suggesting he shot the robbers in the back as they were leaving, which they contended did not align with a clear act of self-defense. However, the defense team successfully argued that Steiner genuinely feared for his life, leading to the acquittal verdict.
Steiner testified that after being forced from the store, he overheard one of the robbers questioning what he might have on him, increasing his fear of pursuit. He also mentioned his car keys were inside, and he worried they might steal his vehicle. After retrieving a handgun from his bag, Steiner fired approximately 13 shots from near a drive-through window, fatally wounding two of the alleged robbers, identified as 18-year-old King Lawrence and 20-year-old Tahir Burley. A third suspect escaped and remains at large. This case became a focal point in discussions about legal self-defense.
The defense highlighted that the robbers’ weapons were real and lethal. Defense attorney Thalia Sady argued during closing arguments that the intruders were “prepared and ready to kill that night.” The jury’s decision to acquit Steiner means the cannabis manager acquitted of murder charges, affirming his right to defend himself under Oregon’s self-defense statutes, a crucial point in the robbery trial.
Background and Legal Proceedings: The Cannabis Manager Acquitted
Steiner, the sole employee on duty at the La Mota location that night, surrendered to authorities shortly after the event. Initially, he was charged with two counts of second-degree murder, one count of attempted murder, and multiple weapons offenses. Throughout the legal proceedings, Steiner consistently maintained his plea of not guilty, and the eventual verdict saw the cannabis manager acquitted.
This case brought into sharp focus the intricate legalities surrounding self-defense, especially in the context of armed robbery. Oregon law permits the use of physical force, including deadly force, when an individual reasonably believes it is necessary to protect themselves or others from imminent unlawful physical harm or the commission of certain violent crimes. While Oregon is not a strict “stand your ground” state, its laws do not mandate retreat when a person is in a place they are legally permitted to be, such as their place of employment.
The prosecution’s claim that Steiner could have fled was strongly refuted by the defense’s assertion of his reasonable fear for his safety and the immediate threat posed by the robbers. Surveillance footage was pivotal, depicting the robbers brandishing firearms at Steiner and his subsequent retrieval of his weapon. However, conflicting interpretations arose regarding whether the robbers’ weapons were drawn when Steiner opened fire and whether they had turned their backs, a key element in the acquittal verdict.
Implications for Oregon’s Cannabis Industry: A Cannabis Manager Acquitted
This incident also sheds light on broader security concerns within the rapidly expanding Oregon cannabis industry and nationwide. Dispensaries are frequent targets for robberies, often perceived to hold substantial amounts of cash and valuable products, a situation exacerbated by federal banking restrictions that necessitate cash-heavy operations. In Portland, cannabis businesses have grappled with significant security challenges, enduring numerous break-ins and violent confrontations, making the fact that the cannabis manager acquitted so significant.
The shooting and subsequent trial underscore the critical balance these businesses must maintain between operational security and daily functions. Many dispensaries have responded by bolstering their security measures, implementing advanced surveillance systems and increasing personnel. The outcome of Steiner’s trial, where the cannabis manager acquitted, may well stimulate further dialogue regarding the legal rights and responsibilities of employees operating in such high-risk environments. This event is a crucial development in the ongoing discussion surrounding public safety, deadly force, and the distinct challenges faced by the legal cannabis sector, especially in light of the Portland crime rates.
This particular La Mota location had a history of security issues, having experienced four previous reported robberies. The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission had initiated an investigation into the incident, noting no prior violations for the licensed La Mota establishment, further emphasizing the unique circumstances leading to the cannabis manager acquitted.
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