Today, a 12-person jury in Multnomah County found 36-year-old Michael Frank Moody guilty of one count of rape in the first degree, one count of assault in the second degree, one count of unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of coercion.
State v. Moody was Multnomah County’s first jury trial held during the COVID-19 pandemic. The trial required the use of two courtrooms to ensure physical distancing and public access. Other safety measures were taken during this trial to protect jurors, attorneys, court staff, Moody and community members.
This investigation started in January of 2019 when Moody, who was homeless, lured a homeless woman to an abandoned house where he demanded she take off her clothes. When the victim refused, Moody assaulted her using a bat and then raped her.
The victim was particularly vulnerable and isolated while living on the streets, Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Sean Hughey, who prosecuted this case said in court.
“Mr. Moody knew that and took advantage of that,” DDA Hughey said.
During trial, the state presented evidence to show the rape and physical assault occurred on January 7, 2019 near the intersection of Northeast 1st Avenue and Northeast Schuyler Street in Portland, Oregon.
Police started their investigation the next day when the victim went to the hospital because she continued to experience head pain from the injuries she sustained from Moody’s assault with the bat. While at the hospital, she disclosed being sexually assaulted.
Officers only knew the suspect’s moniker and a physical description of him.
Detectives with the Portland Police Bureau’s Sex Crimes Unit worked with patrol officers for several months to identify the suspect and to locate the victim.
Police located and arrested Moody on October 19, 2019 at approximately 3 p.m. at the intersection of Northeast 3rd Avenue and Northeast Weidler Street in Portland.
The victim in this case does not want media contact. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office is requesting media respect her privacy and refrain from attempting to contact her.
Sentencing in this matter is scheduled for June 19, 2020 at 10 a.m. before Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Thomas M. Ryan.
In this matter the court granted a judgment of acquittal on Count 4 and Count 5 of the indictment, which charged Moody with kidnapping in the first degree.
Like in all criminal and civil matters, electronic copies of court documents, which are not subject to a protective order, are available to the public through the Oregon eCourt Information (OECI) system.
No additional information can be released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office at this time pursuant to the Oregon Rules of Professional Conduct. Additional information may be released after sentencing.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Sexual Assault Victim Advocate (SAVA) program provides 24-hour on-call response to victims of sexual assault in Multnomah County. Volunteers and staff respond to all local area hospitals to provide accompaniment for forensic medical exams, crisis intervention, resource referrals, and emotional support. This immediate crisis intervention service is then followed by ongoing support and advocacy throughout the investigation and prosecution of the case. The SAVA Program volunteers respond to approximately 270 sexual assault call outs each year.
Michael Frank Moody had 23 arrests in 2018 and 2019. Many of these were felonies. Why was he out on the streets to commit this rape?