Accused assailant has prior convictions for second-degree assault
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.
A Portland jury has acquitted a black man, Gary Edwards, of stabbing a White man after claiming he heard the victim use a racial slur, ruling the attack was “self-defense” despite Edwards’ prior assault convictions, including a 2020 stabbing.
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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.
