KEIZER, Ore. (AP) — Authorities say the teenage son of a Keizer woman and a friend of his will be tried as adults on charges of killing her and seriously wounding her husband.
Under Oregon’s mandatory minimum sentencing law, the charges filed against the 17-year-olds can’t be tried in juvenile court, said police.
Brett Pearson and Robert Daniel Miller II are both accused of murder, attempted murder and conspiracy.
Pearson’s mother, Michelle Yvonne Pearson, 44, was killed Wednesday at the family home. His father, Wilfred “Bill” Pearson, 57, is expected to survive his gunshot wounds.
“Investigators believe this was planned. This was not spur-of-the-moment,” said Deputy Police Chief Jeffrey Kuhns.
Kuhns said the father’s life may have been saved because an alarm went off when the teenagers fled the house. The alarm company called, the father answered, and an ambulance was dispatched.
Brett Pearson was captured early Thursday at a traffic stop, and Miller was arrested at a motel in neighboring Salem.
Kuhns said he couldn’t comment on a possible motive or other details. He said investigators believe both teenagers fired.
Danny Rossman, a neighbor, said he heard three bangs about 11 p.m. Wednesday.
Miller either lived at the Pearson house or was a frequent visitor, Kuhns said.
Michelle Pearson was an accountant for the Oregon Department of Human Services and had worked for the state for more than 15 years. She taught religion classes and was a leader at St. Edward Catholic Church, where her son and husband also attended for at least 10 years.
Kuhns said that Miller is a student at McNary High School and Brett Pearson attended the Downtown Learning Center in Salem.
