Bend woman sentenced to three years in prison for her 3 dogs’ fatal mauling of man at Juniper Ridge homeless camp

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A Bend woman whose three dogs fatally mauled a man at a Juniper Ridge homeless camp last July was sentenced Friday to three years in prison, three years probation and ordered to relinquish the dogs, which she had left unattended after they attacked three others in the past.

A settlement conference last week led to a guilty plea petition filed by Jessica Rae (Charity) McCleery, 38, on three of the four charges against her: criminally negligent homicide and two counts of maintaining a dangerous dog after three pit bull-mastiff dogs killed Joseph Taylor Keeton, 56. The charge of second-degree manslaughter was dismissed.

Deschutes County Deputy District Attorney Rosalie Beaumont told Circuit Judge Wells Ashby there was concern that such a crime happening in the area known as “Dirt World” wouldn’t get the attention or concern as in other places, but that it was “absolutely not the case,” as several officers put in hundreds of hours canvassing the residents and encouraging them to tell what happened.

McCleery’s three dogs previously had sent three people to the hospital with injuries, once when she was present, the prosecutor said.

Keeton is survived by his father, four daughters and two sisters. Daughter Kansas Keeton shared background on her father in a statement read by Beaumont, as well as a victim impact statement (both of her statements can be read in full below). She described her father as an “unusually intelligent … deeply creative artist” who “like most brilliant people had a dark side” that led to homelessness.

But even then, his daughter wrote that he had “made many loyal and devoted friends,” “played piano beautifully” and had “profound conversations that changed many minds about the homeless.” (Keeton's daughters spoke with NewsChannel 21 shortly after a memorial service was held in Silverton.)

In her victim impact statement, Kansas Keeton called the killing a “deeply traumatizing event” and said, “Our dad suffered far worse than Jessica’s punishment will be, and we feel it is just.”

Prosecutor Beaumont called it “a horrific way to die” that “the state believes was entirely preventable, if she’d adequately tied up her dogs or kept them contained that night.”

The dogs have been relinquished to Redmond's BrightSide Animal Center, and a restitution hearing will be scheduled.

Ashby said he appreciated Keeton’s daughter Jenna traveling from St. Helens and speaking with him during the settlement conference, telling him “stories about her father and their time together.”

Defense attorney Olivia Miller called it an “absolutely tragic death” and said she can’t imagine how Keeton’s daughters feel.

But Miller also noted that McCleery “called 911 and did attempt to render aid” after the attack and did “not behave as someone who knew this would happen.”

She said her client is taking responsibility and that it's “a very difficult process for her, losing the animals that she loved,” but hopefully “providing a little bit of closure” for the victim’s family. The attorney said McCleery has people caring for her children and that family and friends plan to be supportive when she’s released from prison.

McCleery, wearing a mask as she appeared by video from jail, declined to speak when the judge said she had a right to make a statement, but that it was not required.

Ashby acknowledged the “horrific manner” of Keeton’s death, while noting that McCleery knew him and “meant him no ill will. She did not mean for him to be injured, and certainly not for him to be killed."

While she has accepted responsibility for what occurred, the judge said that “certainly won’t bring Mr. Keeton back,” and it will take a long time for the emotional wounds to heal.

“Ms. McCleery, to her credit, did call when she found Joe, did call law enforcement,” Ashby said, helping Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies find him in an area with no street signs or street lights. “Ms. McCleery did her best to render aid until a deputy took over,” he said, adding that they “certainly were dangerous dogs.”

“Ms. McCleery, I hope you use this time with the Department of Corrections to get into some substance abuse treatment,” the judge told her. “It’s nice for the court to hear you have support when released.”

McCleery will be eligible for all programs, such as transitional leave and work release, and credit for time served. She is to have no possession of animals.