In the early morning hours of September 3, 2015, the life of James Ross Scott, a 39-year-old White male from Christmas Valley, Oregon, was cut short in a fatal shooting on a rural road in southeast Prineville. The incident, which unfolded around 5 a.m. on SE Davis Loop near Juniper Canyon Road, was later determined to be the result of a drug deal that had soured.
The events leading to Scott's death began earlier that morning at a 7-Eleven in Prineville, where Scott, accompanied by his
girlfriend, Kindr Bork, met with Cory Michael Donovan, 25, and another man. According to statements from the district attorney, Scott sold what was purported to be methamphetamine to Donovan and his associate. After the transaction, Scott and Bork drove away. Donovan and his companion soon discovered the drugs were fake and set out to find Scott, seeking either a refund or authentic drugs.
Their pursuit ended on a desolate stretch of road where they encountered Scott and Bork pulled over. It was there that Donovan fired multiple shots into Scott's vehicle, striking and killing him. Bork, who was in the passenger seat, was physically unharmed but became the state's primary witness. In the immediate aftermath, Bork ran to a nearby house to seek help.
The investigation quickly led authorities to Cory Michael Donovan of Prineville. He was arrested and charged with murder, attempted murder, and unlawful use of a weapon. A second suspect, 26-year-old Justin Rennels of Bend, was indicted and arrested months later in connection with Scott's death. During the legal proceedings, Donovan's defense was complicated by the evolving and sometimes unbelievable testimony of Kindr Bork. Ultimately, Donovan entered into a plea agreement and was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree manslaughter and attempted first-degree assault. The case against Rennels also proceeded, with the prosecutor's office treating the two as co-defendants.
