Grand Jury Declines to Indict Man Held for Murder

A man held since last month on charges he had killed someone will soon be free. A grand jury declined to indict Richard Anderson in the murder of Marquis Taylor.

The grand jury determined that Anderson's use of force - he had shot Marquis once, killing him - had been justified.

Anderson had maintained that he had been robbed and attacked by Taylor and two other men - Mehamed Osman Ali and K'Shawn Davon Harris. Ali and Harris were both indicted by the same grand jury for robbery.

The incident happened on September 19th. Officers from North Precinct responded to the report of gunfire in the area of North Willis Boulevard and Hereford Avenue.

They determined that Anderson and Taylor were involved in a marijuana transaction when Taylor, Ali and Harris robbed Anderson at gunpoint. Anderson fired a shot in self-defense that killed Marquis Taylor.

Photos courtesy Portland Police