Bend murder suspect Ian Cranston pleads not guilty as community members gather at courthouse

(Updated: fixing suspect residence; adding video, comment from victim's mother, community members)

Dates for trial, motion hearing in shooting of Barry Washington Jr. to be set Friday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A Redmond man facing murder and other charges in the September shooting death of Barry Washington Jr. on the street in downtown Bend pleaded not guilty Tuesday as community members gathered outside the courthouse to call for justice.

Due process continues in the search for justice as those involved prepare for a trial in the shooting of the killing of Barry Washington Jr. It's been almost two months, since an altercation occurred in downtown Bend on September 19th, leaving one dead and one behind bars.

Kevin Sali, the attorney for 27-year-old Ian Cranston, entered the not-guilty pleas on behalf of his client to charges of second-degree murder, first- and second-degree manslaughter, first-degree assault and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon. Cranston took part by video from the Deschutes County Jail, where he's been held without bail since early October.

Circuit Judge Beth Bagley for Tuesday's arraignment scheduled another hearing for 3 p.m. Friday to set dates for Cranston's trial and a motions hearing.

Word of the the not guilty plea spread outside the courthouse to those listening in on the virtual hearing.

Community members, led by the Central Oregon Peacekeepers, gathered in front of the courthouse during the hearing and then walked to Washington's memorial at the shooting scene, known as "Barry's Corner."

While District Attorney John Hummel said he did not have sufficient evidence to seek a bias crime charge against Cranston, some community members who gathered Tuesday feel differently.

Eli Prather, a Bend resident, said he doesn't have faith Cranston will be convicted of murder.

"Because he's pleading not guilty, he might be able to get away with it because again -- white man, white lawyers," Prather told NewsChannel 21 on Tuesday.

Calcifer Boyd, another Bend resident, shares that sentiment.

"This is ridiculous and insane, to me, that someone who literally shot the gun who killed Barry is even trying to plead not guilty at all," Boyd said.

During the hearing, prosecutors asked the judge to schedule an eight-day trial. The dates will be determined on Friday.

"I don't think it's good," Boyd said. "Especially following everything with the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict, I would not put it past the lawyer and I would not put it past Ian and whatever plan they have to pull some weird self-defense."

Washington's mother, Lawanda Roberson, issued a brief statement Tuesday, through a Portland attorney.

"Our family is devastated by Barry's murder," she said. "As a mother, I can truly say a piece of me was taken.

"We are grateful for the outpouring of support from people in Central Oregon, and appreciate the memorial maintained for Barry Jr. He was truly loved and will not be forgotten.

"We are choosing not to make further public statements about what led to Barry's murder until we are given the opportunity to review all the evidence and until doing so will not affect the criminal process," Roberson said.

Carly Keenan reached out to Kevin Sali, Cranston's attorney, but he declined to comment.