CLACKAMAS, Ore. – A 23-year-old man being held at the Clackamas County Jail is now facing a first-degree murder charge after allegedly killing his cellmate earlier this month, according to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office.
Incident Inside the Jail
The fatal incident occurred on October 18, when jail deputies discovered inmate Sapastian Year, of Renton, Washington, allegedly assaulting his cellmate, Reece Warren Richeson, 26, of Cedar Hills, Oregon.
Authorities said a deputy was collecting meal trays when they found the two men inside the cell and witnessed Year attacking Richeson. Deputies immediately intervened and pulled Richeson from the cell. He was unconscious and unresponsive at the time.
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Richeson was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment but died three days later from his injuries.
Charges Upgraded to Murder
Year was initially charged with assault, but following Richeson’s death, prosecutors upgraded the charge to first-degree murder. Court records confirm that Year now faces a felony murder charge and is scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on Tuesday.
The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office said it is conducting a comprehensive investigation into both the assault and the circumstances leading to Richeson’s death. In addition, the sheriff’s office will review jail procedures and safety protocols to determine whether any changes are needed to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Background on the Suspect
According to jail records, Year was originally booked into the Clackamas County Jail on September 26. His earlier charges included criminal mischief and violations of a stalking protection order. It remains unclear how long he and Richeson had been sharing a cell or whether there had been any previous reports of conflict between them.
Ongoing Investigation
Officials have not released further details about what may have led to the deadly assault. The sheriff’s office stated that detectives are continuing to gather evidence, review surveillance footage, and interview potential witnesses.
The case will be referred to the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution once the investigation is complete.
Richeson’s family has not yet issued a public statement, but community members have expressed shock and concern over the violent incident occurring within the county jail.
Jail Policies Under Review
In light of the tragedy, the sheriff’s office confirmed that a policy review will take place to assess inmate housing procedures, staff response times, and overall jail safety. The review aims to ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future and that inmates remain secure while in custody.
As of now, Sapastian Year remains in custody at the Clackamas County Jail, awaiting further court proceedings.
