Truck driver convicted of two murders released from prison early
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MCMINNVILLE, Ore. – A man who spent 20 years in prison for two murders is now living in Yamhill County.
Scott Cox was released from prison Friday for good behavior. In 1993, he was sentenced to 25 years for the murders of two women in Portland.
One victim, Rheena Ann Brunson, was found stabbed to death in front of a Portland grocery store in November 1990. The other, Victoria Rhone, was found strangled in Portland in 1991.
Cox, who was a long-haul truck driver, was not charged in any other killings. At the time of his arrest, police agencies in cities along his routes examined the unsolved deaths of young women who frequented truck stops.
Cox is still spending nights at the Yamhill County Jail as part of his post-prison supervision. He’s essentially a free man from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day, but he must stay within the county.
Sheriff Jack Crabtree says he’s watching Cox's every move.
“He’s on a GPS monitor,” said Crabtree. “He’s a convicted murderer. He’s not the first convicted murderer to be released from prison. The concerns people have are normal.”
Cox is not allowed near schools, parks, libraries or bars. If he violates those rules, his GPS monitor will alert his parole officer.
Saturday, Cox walked out of the jail and took a stroll through McMinnville, according to the tracking device.
KATU News learned Cox is a person of interest in at least 15 other murders in western states.
When asked if he believes Cox is a dangerous man, Crabtree said "I guess we'll find out."
“I hope the 20 years has done something for him that he’ll not be a danger to society,” said Crabtree.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Do people who are remorseful and not dangerous randomly bring up and boast about how killing those women he was doing society a favor? No. And this is exactly what happend in Newberg this week. He came to the mobile hotdog cart and told the owner "Yeah, you have probably heard of me... I was doing society a favor." You think any sane person would say this to some random person he doesn't know buying a hotdog? No. This sent chills down my spine and I have a feeling he will strike again. Everyone be careful. His pictures should be posted all over Yamhill County so that everyone knows what he looks like and who he is. I understand family members coming to defend him, of course you always want to see the best in loved ones and of course will always take their side. However, this man is truly a danger to society. IF he kills again, which unfortunetly doesn't sound like a long shot, I pray that his life is taken before he can take another life with him.
@Kayla HÂ ~ Â Very scary, indeed, Kayla...! Â Thanks for the heads-up..!
So he is a free man - early.Â
Learn something here, people. THIS is why we are told we must free up the entire state budget for "education reform".Â
Our Oregon prisons must be empties of all prisoners - Â and all of the state monies needed to fully house MASS MURDERERS - forget about it. We gotta "reform" education instead. ALL STATE MONEY NEEDS TO GO TO "reforming" something educationally.Â
Yup - it all makes sense. As long as those in charge of our government are protecting the duplicitous fattened education lobby in Salem and education alway gets more and more and MORE Â - who cares is MASS MURDERERS serve their full prison terms. Who cares if any convicted criminal is punished and kept safely away from the public - forever.Â
I am a 32 yr old woman. When Uncle Scotty was apart of my life I was a 12 yr old little girl. Naive Yes, scared NO. I feel for the families that have lost their loved ones. But in my world Scott was a loved one to me. Never once was I harmed or fearful for my life. He has served what the justice system felt was adequate time for his crime. The news has created a frenzy. The statements "Will he commit again?, Im not sure we'll see" does not help. In my heart of hearts I hope he proves everyone wrong, and is given the chance to be a active member of society. He will forever have the stigma of being a "convicted killer".Â
It is selfish of you, to expect the rest of society to feel sorry for you or your uncle. You should have saved your breathe. You knew you wouldn't win.
Put yourself in the shoes of those who lost loved ones at the hand of your uncle. And those who he is suspected of also killing. You sound uncaring and unsympathetic, like they should just "get over it". They will never get over this horrible loss. I might suggest that your uncle is going to be shunned and stigmatized forever, because how do you "fix' a murderer. Do you really think that 20 years changed him? You'll never know until something awful happens again. You even said you're not sure that he won't offend again. You should be ashamed of coming on her supporting this vile man. I hope you seek others who are more worthy of admiration and let go of the little girl memory of a good uncle. He's not a good man. He never was, he never will be.
@ohhappyday ~ "He has served what the justice system felt was adequate time for his crime."  (from your post)
What, then, is the "adequate time" that the 2 victims and their families should "serve"..? Â Â I just can't work up a lot of sympathy for someone who cold-bloodedly took the lives of 2 people (that we know of)... and the fact that he was / might still be a "person of interest" in a number of other killings does nothing to alleviate my feelings of unease that he is again out on the streets...Â
@ohhappyday This guy took at least two peoples' lives. He does not deserve to be free regardless of what you think the justice system said. Did he give his victims a "chance to be an active member of society?" As far as I am concerned he should have Convicted Murderer tattooed in big letters on his forehead.
@ohhappydaySuch a great guy right? What a joke. Â He MURDERED at least two other people. Â Get off your soap box cause no one wants to hear a murderer be defended. Â
I dare you to tell that to the families who lost their loved ones who are currently sitting six feet under. Â They didn't get to wait 20-25 years for them to come back from the dead. Â Yet this trash still gets to see the light of day.
Your "Loved One" can go jump off a bridge for all we care...
@ohhappyday  If he is guilty of the murders then he deserves the stigma. As a child you were probably not on his radar, given that it was young women and not girls who were murdered. But now that you are older, perhaps a little fear might save your life, should the Bogeyman make a return visit.
I think they just opend this guy up as a "Mark" but, if he is intent on doing right and has turned from his murderous ways, and people can turn from it...then..so be it. after all Jesus forgave a Murder and thief on the cross beside him.
@lee986321 Please be aware that at any moment you may be visited by the Easter Bunny, tooth fairy, Santa Clause, the Wizard of Oz, or Zombies. I am sure you believe in all those things too, right?
@lee986321Â Ahhhh.. Now it's clear why your posts are so convoluted. Â Heck, you still believe angels exist right? Â Lol.....
any vigilantes got my blessing
Had he been executed for his first crimes as the law was meant to be used, this would not be an issue today!
This is just another travesty of justice!
You liberals (well I guess I'm talking to 85% of Oregon) want it both ways. You don't want a death penalty (ugh how barbaric). Yet you want permissive sentencing such as easy parole and deeming 3 Strikes and life without parole as cruel and unusual punishment. What you Oregon voters really want is a "get out of jail free" card for all criminals.
Hey guess what I saw on Clinton St, my first one, an Obama 2016 bumper sticker. I guess it's the first of many to follow.
@michael w The moment you put the word "Liberal" in your argument, it became invalid.  Do you nut jobs realize the words "Liberal" and Conservative" were RARELY used before 9/11?  Â
It's a stupid tool devised to put us commoners at each others throats. Â Last I checked, we are ALL broke. Â Except those who have far more than what's necessary to live while lining their own pockets with all our hard labor and tax dollars.
Talking like you know the intent and beliefs of people you have never met makes you look quite foolish. Â
not true Archie bunker used them alot in 72'
@michael w All liberals do not feel the same...Blanket statements like that are BS.
@michael w What does Obama 2016 even mean?
As one of the 85% I can say I don't want a get out of jail free card.  What I want is a justice system less based on punishment and more based on reform.  Before you say reform doesn't work, check out how other countries run their prisons against their recidivism rate.
@darren vandervort @michael w Â
It was a cool aid drinking liberal like yourself that had the sticker on their car, ask him what it ment.
Yea, other countries. Norway for instance where the killer of 77 young people gets only 20 years. Is that justice? Maybe he could be reformed? How about that cop killer Peltier (I don't recall his NEW name), your liberal hero, maybe he just needs a bit of TLC. You liberals don't want to face the fact that some killers need justice not a few chats with a psychologist.
This is Insane .....alot of tax money going to the state from me and this is what I get in return ??
Just how is it Possible ?? Who is Responsible for letting him out Early ?? Judge ?? Parol Board ?? WHO ???
There should be a MOB of Reporters Asking Questions !!!
@Glenn Pierce The system let him out, no one to really point fingers at. Many are probably not very happy about it. Especially local LEO's
This early release early of a convicted multiple murderer has probably gone around the world. The local LE are probably as irritated as anyone else. However the law or justice system at the time of his arrest had problems. There is not much the police locally can do about him. He was released for a reason. A reason many find hard to figure out. The system seems to be learning at times...other times it is not.
He is supposed to spend the night in Yamhill County Jail, but during the day is allowed to walk the streets. I would imagine each time he leaves the jail, many are watching hime.
There is not much for him to do in his spare time, as there is not much in McMinnville to do, unless you go to Library, or one of the parks, or bars. I guess he could walk the streets.
Some people believe that justice has been served, he has paid his debt to society, I'm not one of those. He killed at least two people, only served twenty years and was released early. His victims received a lifetime dirt nap and no chance of early release. No justice was served here, he is still breathing and sucking in the sweet breath of freedom.
Plaster his face on every telephone pole, in every laundromat, every 7-11 and supermarket door. Â
No rest for the Wicked.
@Umhal Also near City Park, and the other parks around...just in case
@Umhal Like bush and cheney??
@yesiam @Umhal See how the genuine public concern over an actual convicted murderer being released into the local population suddenly becomes a liberal Bush/Cheney joke when people bring it up?
Exhibit A. Exhibit B will be the first liberal smacktard who thinks it's funny. Ready:
@Playanekes I'm not familiar with "yesiam" but I know sargerator to be a complete waste of skin - my opinon, of course.  Hopefully yesiam doesn't descend to the same depths of troll-hood that sargerator has.
To ignore them is best.
Always a pleasure, Playanekes!
HA ! Ya !
Amazing that he is considered a serious risk to re-offend and yet he got out five years early.Â
Exactly ...Who is Responsible for letting him out Early ????
He did his time, leave him alone.
@hill Actually there are many that are still incarcerated, who did not kill a single person, much less two. He may or may not like being out on the street in Yamhill County. Many are probably watching him all the time. If they put his picture on the door of all stores, Circle K, 7-11, he might find it hard to enjoy his freedom
And that is supposed to matter to the population of law abiding citizens? He took away the freedom and life of at least two people. I hope he does not enjoy freedom because he really gave his up when he took the lives of others.
Hey hill:
So you're cool if he moves in next door to you, right?
@weaselÂ
Yeah, he could be next door. If he shows up over here he'll be shot.
Well now... Thank You KATU. This is a prime example of WHY women should have a CWP and carry a gun.
Does anyone have an address for this danger to society?
Our safety certainly isn't anywhere near the top of the priority list for any government official.
@Lo Pan Send over the Three Storms and the Wing Kong.
@Lo Pan"Cox is still spending nights at the Yamhill County Jail as part of his post-prison supervision. Heâs essentially a free man from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day, but he must stay within the county."
Which means at night he is easy to find. And your comment about your safety not being near the top of a list of any government official is a bit of over reaction. Many hate things like this, but not much they can do...the "justice" system made it, whether the system is broke or needs fixing is another question.
This quote from the sheriff really scares me: "When asked if he believes Cox is a dangerous man, Crabtree said "I guess we'll find out.""
Oh, yeah. That would really help me calm down if I was a young woman in McMinnville.
I REALLY hope that he moves in next door to Crabtree. Not his fault that Cox is getting out, but what a stupid, STUPID quote!
Without a CDL... H ain't a truck driver.
what was really the point in him being in prison? Do the people that are murdered don't matter if you let enough time pass and what of all the money spent giving them a place to live and all the care they need all free.If these people are set free they should pay back the money but us taxpayers will still be paying the bills for watching them and maybe welfare.And all this time they should have just been executed if the took someones life.Â
I wonder if people realize there's a good chance that another Ted Bundy just went free.
I used to arrest folks on murder warrants from different East Coast states and for some reason they migrated to ORYGUN where they knew they would get preferential treatment. Having helped arrest and put away one of ORYGUN's most prolific serial killers he keeps winning his appeals for another trial only ORYGUN. Perhaps we should wall off OR and let them have it since their credit rating has gone down hill and there is virtually no death penalty. Did any of of the Libtards read the article that criminals migrate to OR because the pickin's are so ripe with no jail time to speak of???
@boned Oregon is like the rest of the west coast. There is a certain element of flotsam and jetsam in society who cannot be pushed any further west outside of society because they have run into the Pacific ocean and Canada won't let them in.
They're not rugged enough for Alaska, or, at least, rural places as such are not sufficiently target-rich. So they're here, and, it's easy to get around AND disappear in the forest if you need to.
The Northwest is considered a good hunting ground due to the mostly rural nature of the enviroment. Fewer people around and many (victims) are not concerned about being alone, as they are used to it. There is not a heavy population base to detect an attack or abduction in many settings. For the same reasons people who are defective, do not have to "blend in".