A black homeless man was acquitted of stabbing a white man by a Portland jury because the victim shouted a racial slur after he was attacked.
Gary Edwards, 43, was found not guilty by jurors after it was revealed the victim – Gregory Howard Jr, 43, shouted the ‘N-word’ after he was stabbed in the shoulder.
The stabbing occurred on July 7 on Northwest 5th Street, KPTV reported.
Although there is no audio of Howard hurling a racial slur, Edwards’ lawyer told the jury that the victim shouted the N-word at his client.
Police bodycam later picked up Howard making the racial slur after law enforcement arrived.
Edwards testified that Howard shouted the N-word at him before the attack.
Edwards, who has prior convictions for second-degree assault was acquitted by the Portland jury on October 31.
The New York Post reported:
A Portland, Oregon, jury has cleared a black man of assault charges for stabbing a white man — after it was revealed that the victim said the N-word after the attack.
Gary Edwards, 43, was found not guilty of second-degree assault after knifing Gregory Howard Jr., 43, on July 7, KPTV reported.
Edwards admitted to stabbing Howard Jr., but claimed it was in self-defense after the victim had used racial slurs, Oregon Live reported.
Both men are homeless and have lengthy rap sheets.
Video from transit cameras showed Edwards approach Howard, who was sitting on a bench, from behind with a fixed-blade knife in his hand.
As soon as Howard sees Edwards, he jumps up and starts pushing him, and the pair briefly scuffle against a wall before Edwards suddenly stabs Howard in the shoulder.
There is no audio on the video, but Edwards’ defense attorney, Daniel Small, told the jury his client was approaching Howard to see if he would trade his knife for cigarettes.
Police body camera footage captured Howard calling Edwards the N-word in the aftermath of the attack, after cops rushed over to intervene.
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