Bend man accused of bias crime in delivery driver confrontation enters plea

April 2021 trial date set in case

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) - A Bend man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a bias crime and other charges alleging that he confronted and harassed a DoorDash delivery driver picking up food at an Old Mill restaurant in late June.

Jeremiah McBride, 36, entered the pleas to charges of second-degree bias crime, harassment and two counts of second-degree criminal mischief. Deschutes County Circuit Judge Beth Bagley scheduled a two-day, six-person jury trial for next April 15 before Judge Wells Ashby.

District Attorney John Hummel said in July the alleged victim, a 31-year-old Bend man he described as a person of color saving up to buy an Ethiopian food truck, entered the Red Robin Restaurant on June 28 and picked up a delivery food bag.

McBride is accused of persisting with a "hostile attitude, including calling the victim the 'N-word," then pursuing the driver to his car and kicking it as the delivery man drove off, causing damage. He said the driver then got out of his car, and McBridge shouted and shoved him.

McBride and his attorney appeared by phone for Tuesday's plea entry.

McBride also told the judge he'd forgotten to book an appointment at the jail a month ago for processing. Bagley ordered him to do so within 30 days and warned if he failed to, it would be a violation of his release agreement.