PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV) — The trial is underway for a Portland dispensary employee charged with murdering two men during what authorities say was a robbery attempt in October 2024.
Deadly Shooting at La Mota Dispensary
The case centers on Jason Steiner, who faces two counts of murder in connection with the shooting that occurred on October 3, 2024, at the La Mota cannabis dispensary on North St. Louis Avenue in Portland’s St. Johns neighborhood.
According to police, Steiner, who was working at the store that day, opened fire after a confrontation with three men. Surveillance footage presented in court shows Steiner firing multiple rounds into the building through a window after he had already fled outside.
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Two men — 18-year-old King Lawrence and 20-year-old Tahir Burley, both from Milwaukie — were killed. A third man survived the incident.
Prosecution’s Argument
During opening statements Wednesday, prosecutors argued that Steiner acted recklessly and without justification. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office maintains that Steiner was not in imminent danger when he decided to fire on the men inside the shop.
According to prosecutors, Steiner failed to call 911 or seek help from neighbors after leaving the building. Instead, they allege, he escalated the situation by returning and opening fire through the dispensary’s window.
Court filings from the DA’s office describe the shooting as unnecessary and intentional, challenging any claim that Steiner was protecting himself.
Defense: Claim of Self-Defense
Steiner’s attorney told the jury a different story, portraying his client as a man who believed his life was at risk. The defense argues that one of the men inside the store had threatened Steiner with a firearm, leaving him with little choice but to defend himself.
The defense team claims the surveillance video, while showing Steiner firing from outside, does not capture the fear and immediacy of the threats he allegedly faced inside the shop.
Surveillance Video at Center of Trial
Jurors watched security footage that will likely play a central role in the trial. The video shows Steiner outside the dispensary, firing multiple shots into the store after exiting.
The prosecution says the footage proves Steiner had already removed himself from harm’s way before deciding to shoot. The defense contends that the video must be considered in the context of what happened inside moments earlier.
Victims Identified
The two men killed — Lawrence, 18, and Burley, 20 — were both from Milwaukie and had been identified by police shortly after the shooting. Their deaths added urgency to ongoing debates about safety at cannabis businesses in Portland, many of which have faced robberies and violent incidents in recent years.
What Comes Next
The trial is expected to focus heavily on whether Steiner’s actions can be considered legally justified under Oregon’s self-defense laws. Jurors will hear from witnesses, review surveillance footage, and weigh competing narratives about whether Steiner was under immediate threat when he pulled the trigger.
For now, Steiner remains charged with two counts of murder as the court works through opening arguments and the first pieces of evidence.
The trial is set to continue into next week.
