Redmond bias crimes suspect pleads not guilty
Trial set for late July
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A Portland man accused of attempted murder and committing a bias crime against a Redmond motel owner pleaded not guilty to charges on Wednesday.
James David Lamb Jr., 54, strangled and attempted to kill a 70-year-old woman on Dec. 31, 2019, police said.
He allegedly broke into the Hub Motel manager's office and attacked Meena Puri.
Her husband said the man asked to use the phone for a long-distance call. When she told him he should come back in the morning, he allegedly grabbed her hair through the night window, then used a large ashtray to smash in the office door and attack the woman.
Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel said Lamb was charged with bias crimes based on statements about the woman's country of origin and "his expressed desire to rid America of people like her."
Lamb, who remains held without bail at the county jail after earlier having his bail raised to $1 million, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to eight charges, including second-degree attempted murder and two counts of first-degree bias crime.
He indicated at Wednesday's hearing he was waiving his right to a jury trial, and instead will have a two-day bench trial before the judge, scheduled for July 30 due to scheduling issues for other trials, and availability of expert witnesses and an officer.
