Samson Garner’s trial in Smith Rock mass shooting plot delayed to next August, at defense attorneys’ request
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The trial of a Portland man accused of plotting a mass shooting at a Smith Rock climbing event last year has been delayed until August 2025 at the request of Samson Garner’s defense attorneys, who recently received a large amount of evidence in the case.
That will be nearly two years after Garner was arrested and indicted on 26 charges, including attempted murder of multiple victims, attempted assault with a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon.
In a motion for continuance filed five days before Garner's scheduled Oct. 29 trial date, defense attorney Kelly Monaghan said they needed more time to consult with its expert witnesses about the electronic devices seized by law enforcement at the time of Garner’s arrest, including hard drives and Garner’s GPS watch.
Monaghan also asked for more time to review evidence recently provided by the state, including 34 videos of the test firing of Garner’s guns that took place last month. She also noted that they just learned of an out-of-state witness who could speak to Garner’s knowledge of the details of the Craggin’ Classic at Smith Rock State Park, which authorities said was Garner’s intended target.
Monaghan also referred to another recently received item: 85 recorded conversations with Garner at the Deschutes County Jail, including 27 phone calls and 58 video calls. Monaghan said only after reviewing that material can defense attorneys “adequately advise Mr. Garner concerning his decision whether or not to testify at his trial.”
After several hearings and testimony in recent months, Deschutes County Circuit Judge Alison Emerson denied several defense motions seeking to exclude other evidence from the trial, including Gardner’s texts and emails, rejecting defense claims that they were illegally obtained. She did order partial redaction of two sentences in an email. Earlier, Emerson denied defense motions to dismiss the case or move the trial out of Deschutes County.
Emerson worked with prosecutors and defense attorneys on availability and scheduling at Tuesday’s hearing before rescheduling Garner's jury trial for next August 18th, which is expected to take up until Sept. 10 to conclude. A status hearing was set for June 16 and a trial readiness hearing for August 11.
Defense attorney Joel Wirtz told the judge his client “was looking for an earlier trial date,” but witness availability and other issues pushed the trial out to late next summer.
