On July 17, 2020, a tragic incident unfolded in the Russell neighborhood of Northeast Portland, Oregon, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, including Tashia Cobb. Tashia Cobb, aged 40, was one of the victims, along with her fiancé Elmer Edwin Hughes III and their friend Lawrence Wayne Murphy.
The suspect in this triple homicide is Brett Edward Pruett, a 61-year-old man who was a neighbor of the victims.
According to the charging instrument, Pruett intentionally caused the deaths of the three victims during the same criminal episode. It is alleged that Pruett, a convicted felon, used a firearm in the commission of these crimes. The investigation began when law enforcement responded to an in-progress disturbance in the 2500 block of Northeast 122nd Avenue, where they found the three deceased victims upon arrival.
Pruett's actions were described in detail by prosecutors, who stated that he shot Tashia Cobb and her fiancé Elmer Hughes outside the residence, and then killed Lawrence Murphy inside the home. This violent act was reportedly the culmination of a long-simmering dispute between Pruett and his neighbors.
Pruett was arrested on July 18, 2020, approximately 24 hours after the murders took place. He was charged with multiple counts, including three counts of murder in the first degree, four counts of unlawful use of a weapon, one count of first-degree burglary, and one count of second-degree assault with a firearm. Additionally, Pruett faced charges related to an incident that occurred a few days before the murders, where he allegedly used a deadly and dangerous weapon to intentionally cause physical injury to an adult female.
The trial of Brett Edward Pruett commenced nearly a month before the verdict was delivered. On October 6, 2023, a Multnomah County jury found Pruett guilty on all counts, including first-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon, burglary, and assault. The jury's decision marked the conclusion of a lengthy and complex legal process.
Pruett's sentencing is scheduled for January 8, following the guilty verdict. The case has been closely monitored by the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office, which has emphasized the importance of balancing public health and public safety during the proceedings, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
