Details emerge about Larson murder, suspect's past
PORTLAND, Ore. – A 37-year-old Southwest Portland man was charged Friday with three counts of aggravated murder of a 33-year-old woman who was found dead in her Southwest Portland apartment Christmas Day.
Michael James Kirkland was stoic as he faced a Multnomah County judge for the first time during his arraignment for the murder of Jaime Lyn Larson.
The three aggravated murder counts relate to three different aggravating factors: rape, sodomy and burglary, according to prosecutors.
Portland police said some of the forensic evidence they had gathered in the case eventually led them to Kirkland. He was arrested Thursday at his home on Southwest Clay Street.
The murder allegedly occurred after Larson invited him back to her apartment sometime prior to Christmas. The two were casual acquaintances, sources say.
Her body was discovered Christmas night and sources said Kirkland killed Larson before the holiday.
After Kirkland's arraignment, Larson's loved ones hugged each other tightly.
New details emerged Friday about the alleged killer's past.
In 2003, police found Kirkland atop a construction crane 160 feet in the air at 10th and Couch, according to Portland police records. He was despondent and refused to come down.
According to sources, he was upset because his girlfriend had rolled over in her sleep, accidentally killing their 4-month-old child.
He eventually came down from off the crane and sought help from a doctor. No charges were filed.
His only criminal history includes a 2004 assault conviction. It was dismissed.
Kirkland’s neighbors told KATU News Friday he was pretty reserved.
Larson's family said that everyone's support has been heartfelt and greatly appreciated. The family issued a statement, thanking the Portland police and the U.S. Marshals Service.
"All involved did a fantastic job and our heartfelt thanks goes out to all of them," the statement said. "Thank you for the continuing support."
That crane incident was on "Cops". At that time he did seem to be justifiably distraught - but not everybody climbs a crane when deeply distraught...
 @DianeY Just climbing a  dang crane would make me severely distraught.
How can an assault conviction be dismissed? Prior to a conviction, CHARGES can be dismissed by the D.A. or a Judge. A CONVICTION cannot be dismissed - most misdemeanors and SOME felonies can be EXPUNGED after a certain number of years & the filing of a motion with the court, and of course payment of filing fees.
I see that the mental health professionals scored another successful turnaround with Kirkland's problems! NOT!
 @jpk I was kind of wondering if this guy was schizophrenic myself.  He looks a little detached from reality in the video.  I'm not sure what mental health professionals could have done anyways if the guy didn't want (or couldn't afford) treatment.  It's not like we can involuntarily commit people anymore.
You can't tell a book by it's cover. No one should be judged by their looks, only by their actions or prior record. Being a danger to self or others, based on what they did can result in a mental commitment hearing.
@Playanekes, Ya know a really intelligent man once told me "The same fire that melts butter makes steel". Â He was quite the nemesis to me. You Playanekes just take cold shots.
Man is he U G L Y.....and in every way possible too. Â What on earth was she doing messing around with a thing like him? Â Talk about major CREEPERS.....
@Tonk, now you're thinking outside the box.
Hmm I watched the episode of "cops" when the guy was on the crane, he should have jumped...
What if she had consented to sex with him, then that violent ex-boyfriend of hers was stalking her, got jealous and killed her?
 @czullo Thank you czullo. I was thinking the very same thing.
While no one ever wants to see a rapist and murder just walk away, I have to believe that the standard of innocent until proven gulity is upheld. I too was charged with assault by two dishonest people, who later refused to come to court because the testimony of the victim I was defending would have made for more serious charges against the liars. It was dismissed because I was innocent. With community policing we all do the perp walk, so they have our fingerprints on file, and they can run a nation wide check. Â Strange every human being on earth makes mistakes except for a police officer. Yeah well it's a tough job, just keep in mind it doesn't serve the community to convict the wrong person.
 @czullo So, you think maybe he was charged with assault by a dishonest murder victim?That's some great detective work there, Sherlock.
I wonder if his girlfriend actually rolled over and killed the child or did he abuse the child , kill the child, and blame it on her.
The burglary charge is the most interesting to me. He was invited in, therefore the police must be able show that he went into the apartment with the intent to commit these crimes. Or possibly he returned to the apartment at a later time to either destroy evidence or commit theft. That rules out some sort of spontaneous act. Just guessing, but it will be interesting to get more information.
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I can't even imagine what it must be like for women to date in this day and age. I know its always been dangerous, but seems much worse these days. How vulnerable they are to creeps like this. "You would like to go out with me? Please send copies of your criminal history, financial records, medical history and phone number of your last girlfriend to the following post office box. I will get back to you."
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@Scotty9Morning! Wonder what's happening in this case? Any thoughts?Â
@Lips @Scotty9 Hi Lips!
What a crazy week in America! Sounds like they're just about to get terrorist #2 into custody, or a body bag. I have a feeling that boat he's hiding in isn't very sea worthy anymore.
Mr. Larson is finding himself in the middle of the hurry up and wait status. Typically it takes between a year and a year and a half to go to trial on murder cases. Due to the circumstances surrounding this case the only question is will the DA go for the death penalty or life without parole. I have not heard one way or the other. I have no doubt if this was Washington county they would seek the death penalty, but Multco is a different animal. have you heard anything through your channels?
@Lips @Scotty9  Yes, I think that's the most likely outcome unless he wants to take his chances in court. I'm not sure how strong their case is, but It's probably very good; I wouldn't gamble on it if I were him, but on the other hand, do we really have a death penalty in this state?
@Scotty9Â @Lips Really crazy week. So much going on I've switched to live broadcasts because I can't read fast enough. lol.Â
I haven't heard anything, I sorta thought he might confess and plead out for life verses death.
 @Scotty9 Typical, just gotta know about the Finances, the others I can understand but basing eligability on Money shows what you really care about. Sad but way too common.
 @swede760Â
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Oh swede, think about it. It's not how much money someone has that you need to know about, it's how they handle their money that will tell you volumes about them. At least you will know going into the relationship what to expect. Do they have a gambling problem? A shopping problem? Are you about to "sign on" for a bankruptcy?Â
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If you ask any counselor what's the most common area in a marriage for fights and arguments it's finance's.
 @Scotty9 I hope you feel better soon and all your financial problems are magically gone when you find Mr. Rich, I mean Right.
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Awesome, that was a great first counseling session. Be sure to take your meds and we'll meet back here on Thursday. Have a nice day.
 @Scotty9 First I never even consider it a relationship at that stage, that is just childish, next what happened to actually getting to know someone before making a commitment that involves finances, next why does anyone have to get Legally Married and share finances? I myself am not great at managing money but I am very good at making it, what would have happened if my ex had actually managed my money for Us and not Her? No Greed had to get into it and she had to go, I do not care much for money, it Can buy you love but not the type I would want. Reality, you sound like a Gold Digger.
 @Scotty9 If you actually look at the stats, violent crime and rapes have been on a downward trend for 30 years.  Women are safer now than anytime in recent history.  It's just with the Internet and modern technology, what does happen is much more visible.
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http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/glance/tables/viortrdtab.cfm
 @UtterRealityÂ
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Okay, I always take stats with a big grain of salt. If this web site is only half right it's totally unacceptable:
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http://www.feminist.com/antiviolence/facts.html
A bitter sweet moment in time for the Larson family. I'm so sorry for your loss of your beautiful daughter.Â
Wasn't the Crane Incident on an episode of Cops? I SWEAR I watched an episode of Portland with the exact same circumstances...
"His only criminal history includes a 2004 assault conviction. It was dismissed."
I wonder what this means... obviously if he was convicted, the case was NOT dismissed. Perhaps KATU meant he was charged, but the case was later dismissed, or possibly no-complainted because the victim was too afraid to come to court? These things happen all the time, particularly with DV victims who are well-known to their attacker..
 @StealthActivistÂ
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He was charged with assault and strangulation, plead guilty to the assault and the the DA dismissed the strangulation. Probably a plea bargain.
 @Scotty9  What's really amazing is Strangulation is a misdemeanor in Oregon.
 @StealthActivist  @Scotty9 Well that's outrageous. It should be equal with attempted murder.
So do I have to watch the video to hear about these new details? bleh.
Obviously has mental issues (crane climb). He's violent (dropped assault). He's filled with some kind of rage (rape and murder). In other words a walking time bomb. But with no real criminal past I bet he could have bought an assault rifle if he had chosen to vent his rage in a mass murder.
 @ormom 1st of all you dont know his whole story.If you went through what he went through you would understand it more. I am not saying what happened is right, b/c it isnt, no one has the right to take another persons life,I'm just saying dont judge unless you have walked his path.
 @ormom and NO, I dont think he did it. That is my opinion and I have a right to my opinion.
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@ ormom...Actually, he has a felony record. He couldn't buy a gun.
 @mixer529 He couldn't buy a gun LEGALLY, you mean?
 @mixer529 I believe archery was his thing.Â
 @mixer529 paintin, weldin, down on Front Street...?
 @badcat All the livelong day ;-)
 @mixer529 been workin' on the railroad?
I'm not a bartender. My handle has nothing to do with that kind of mixing. I don't frequent his social circle either. Just coincidence maybe.
 @mixer529 Know each other? Maybe, I've lived here my whole life. But... I'm guessing by your handle, 'mixer'' that you're a bartender. Since you knew Mike but are not his friend, I'm thinking your association is most likely to a place he drank. I do not frequent his social circle in anyway. I know that most women he knows are strippers. If I'm close, we don't know each other. Am I close?
 @Lips Funny...I was gonna say that same thing. Kinda makes me wonder if we know each other and don't know it. You've been right on top of this since the beginning when I posted his initials before his arrest was public. In any case, I will say that I was not friends with him, but I know him. This whole thing makes me sick and I'm glad that he has been caught.
 @ormom keyword is "Dropped" meaning it was unfounded. I had a some woman accuse of of rape, the stopped the case after they found her to have been lying. The police did question me and all that. It is something No one should ever go through. the charges were dropped. Now you tell me am I violent guy? Dropped means Dropped. It means he was innocent and possibly some lied about that.
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How ever he is now guilty of Murder and Rape and Sodomy .. Aside from not having a record anything could have made him snap and I am guessing the traumatic event of him losing his son, could have set him over the edge.
So before you go filling in with you 2 cents about "an action being Dropped" That means it was never put on his record and the reason for to have been at the time dropped was because there was no evidence to support the assault crime.
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 @lee986321 So in one case, a Hillsboro man charged with murdering his infant son, you take the "innocent until proven guilty" side... now you are taking the "his is now guilty of...".
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You don't even have a consistant opinion on the SAME subject! Really, you are blowing in the wind bending to whatever opinion you may hear or see. Try for some consistancy of argument, even at a base level.
 @lee986321  @ormom OMG are you kidding????Dropped does NOT automatically  mean "unfounded". It means there is "not enough evidence". Big difference between the two. Sometimes it can mean unfounded, but waaaaaaaaay more often it means: not enough evidence.
 @lee986321 Dropped doesn't necessarily mean innocent. It could mean not enough evidence, could mean the accuser dropped it in fear of retaliation, who knows? It does not mean he was found innocent.
 @pdx10  @lee986321 Dropped very often means "not enough evidence". But does not mean: "no crime committed".Â
Do you even know what you are talking about? You put your "2 cents" in about law and then you throw in the moronic statement "he is now guilty"? He hasn't even gone to trial yet. How is it he has been found guilty? Granted, I know the accused and happen to believe he did commit this horrible crime, but there is still the judicial system that makes that final decision. Before you chastize someone else on what the keyword "dropped" means, you should consider your own ridiculous statements.
 @lee986321  @ormom Shut up, lee. You have no idea what you're talking about. The last thing YOU need to be doing is filling in your 2 cents about something you know nothing about. It's making me ill to hear you even slightly try to defend him for anything, past or present.
 @lee986321 "Dropped means Dropped. It means he was innocent and possibly some lied about that."
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I recall OJ Simpson having numerous charges against him 'dropped' when he was still married to Nicole...
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Don't rule out the fact that some cases are dismissed ('dropped') because the victim is afraid of testifying...not to imply that you are guilty or lying...just saying.
 @str1ngb3nd3r  @lee986321 Or cases are dropped for lack of ENOUGH evidence. Absence of evidence is not proof that a crime did not happen.