OCVLC Represents Four of the Victims of the "Oregon Five"

On October 17, 2012 the Oregon Crime Victims Law Center appeared before the Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision on behalf of the families of four of the victims of the "Oregon Five," inmates who were convicted of aggravated murder in the years between 1989 and 1995.  Legal Director Rosemary Brewer helped persuade the Board that the inmates should serve the maximum term allowable, 228 months, for each count of aggravated murder.  

Sterling Cunio was convicted in 1994 of the kidnapping, robbery, and murder of 18 year old Bridget Camber and her 21 year old fiance, Ian Dahl.  Cunio was 16 at the time of the crimes.  Cunio was sentenced to life in prison, and in 1999 the Board of Parole set his prison term.  In 2011 the Oregon Supreme Court ruled that the Board of Parole had exceeded its authority in setting a term for a juvenile and ordered a new prison term hearing.  

At the hearing the two-member Board unanimously decided that Cunio should serve a term of 228 months for each of the two counts of aggravated murder, to run consecutive, the maximum time allowable under the sentencing matrix that was available at the time. When that sentence is complete, Cunio will serve additional time for his convictions on the kidnapping and robbery charges.  

Arguing against Cunio's early release were Benton County Deputy District Attorney David Amesbury, Ian Dahl's mother, aunt and stepfather, and Bridget Camber's mother, father and sisters.  Ms. Brewer argued on behalf of Ian Dahl's uncle.  

The final two members of the Oregon Five, Lydell and Laycelle White, also had their prison term hearings on the 17th.  The OCVLC represented the family of Richard and Grace Remy, the victims of the Whites.  In August of 1993, the Whites broke into the Remys' Salem home, beat and stabbed the couple to death, then stole their automobile.  Richard Remy was 82 years old, while Grace Remy was 80 years old.  The evidence showed that the White brothers planned their crime and actively sought out an elderly couple.  The Whites were sentenced to life terms with a minimum of 30 years for aggravated murder, with an additional 800 months for murder to run consecutively.  The 2011 Supreme Court decision regarding juveniles convicted of aggravated murder gave the Whites another opportunity for a prison term hearing.  

At the hearing the Board unanimously decided that the Whites should serve the maximum allowable term of 288 months for aggravated murder, which will be followed by the 800 month sentence for murder.  

Arguing against the White brothers' release was Marion County Deputy District Attorney Katie Suver.  Rosemary Brewer argued on behalf of the Remy family. 

Related News