Jeremy Christian Guilty On All Counts In 2017 MAX Train Stabbing

PORTLAND, OR — It took jurors just over 12 hours to unanimously convict Jeremy Christian on all charges stemming from a 2017 deadly attack on a MAX train. Christian killed two and critically injured a third. The jury convicted him on all 12 counts that he faced, including two counts of first-degree murder.

The sentencing phase of the trial will begin on Feb. 25. The trial lasted 20 days, including five days of jury selection.

The incident, which prosecutors and witnesses suggested had been fueled by racism, roiled Portland for weeks.

The incident happened on May 26, 2017.

Prosecutors showed how Christian had been on the train when he spotted two teenage girls, one of whom was wearing a hijab. Witnesses said Christian shouted "Go back to Saudi Arabia" at the men and that "Muslims should die."

Three men approached Christian and attempted to calm the situation.

Of those men, Taliesin Namaki-Meche and Ricky Best, were killed. A third, Micah Fletcher, was critically wounded as the train pulled into the Hollywood Transit Center. The attack on the three men lasted 11 seconds.

Police recovered a 4-inch knife from the scene.

See Patch's Original Story: Portland Train Attack Raised Concerns For 'City Of Ostriches'

Prosecutors painted Christian as a white supremacist who had posted hateful comments online. Christian's lawyers said the men approached and threatened him, and he acted in self-defense.

“Our community continues to feel the profound impact from this violent and racist attack that happened more than two years ago," Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill said in a statement after the verdict was delivered. "This verdict supports and upholds the state’s belief that Jeremy Joseph Christian acted intentionally when he committed these crimes.

"We thank the jurors for their dedication, diligence and swift deliverance of justice. While we are pleased with today’s verdict, we continue to focus our efforts toward helping the families of Ricky Best and Taliesin Namkai-Meche as well as Micah Fletcher, Demetria Hester, Wailo Mohamed, Destinee Mangum and Shawn Forde deal with the unimaginable and lasting trauma caused by Jeremy Joseph Christian."