Man found guilty of murder, manslaughter for 2020 stabbings

PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) — A man accused of stabbing two people to death in Northeast Portland on June 16, 2020, was found guilty of second-degree murder on April 26.

A 12-person jury found 42-year-old Phillip Lawrence Nelson guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter for the deaths of Cassy Leaton and Najaf “Nate” Hobbs.

The 2020 stabbings occurred following a dispute between the victims and Nelson, KOIN 6 previously reported . Leaton and Hobbs’ roommate told the Portland Police Bureau that the group believed they were renting an apartment on Northeast Davis Street from Nelson. However, the roommates changed the locks to their apartment when they discovered that Nelson was actually a squatter living in the building, court records state.

Nelson stabbed Leaton and Hobbs numerous times with a knife after they went into the basement of the building where the water control was located, according to court records. Leaton was taken to the hospital, where she later died. Hobbs died at the scene.

Nelson fled the scene of the stabbing and was arrested by PPB officers on June 18. Nelson’s trial was held in Multnomah County Circuit Court from April 8 to April 26 with Judge Eric Dahlin presiding.

Nelson’s sentencing is scheduled for May 24 at 9 a.m.

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