Demetrius Vaughn has been indicted for the murder of Saul Villatoro Escoto-Eldibrando
Edel Aragon-Cruz is charged in the fatal stabbing of Juan Francisco Orellana-Gavarrete; indictment pending
Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt today announced that two suspects in two recent murder cases have been arraigned in Multnomah County Circuit Court.
Demetrius Jermaine Vaughn, 47, was arraigned today on the indicted charges of Murder in the Second Degree with a Firearm, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. The charges stem from the shooting death of Saul Villatoro Escoto-Eldibrando, 34, on October 8, 2023, in downtown Portland. Upon review of the evidence provided by law enforcement, Deputy District Attorney Kristen Kyle-Castelli presented the case to a grand jury, which returned a true bill of indictment on December 5, 2023. A warrant was subsequently issued for Vaughn’s arrest, and officers with the Portland Police Bureau arrested him on December 26, 2023.
Edel Aragon-Cruz, 22, was arrested on December 26, 2023, by PPB officers after an investigation concluded that he is the suspect in the stabbing death of Juan Francisco Orellana-Gavarette, 23, that took place on December 24th in the Goose Hollow neighborhood. Aragon-Cruz was booked on charges of Murder in the Second Degree and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. He was arraigned on the initial charges today. Deputy DA Kristen Kyle-Castelli will present the case to a grand jury for consideration of charges. If the grand jury returns a true bill of indictment, Aragon-Cruz will be arraigned on the indicted charges.
A charging instrument is only an accusation of a crime. Both Vaughn and Aragon-Cruz are innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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