“He tried everything in his power to kill me. He stabbed me, he cut me, he bit me and, thankfully, he was unsuccessful,” the victim, a paramedic, told a judge Tuesday.
His testimony was powerful; the emotions real.
Jeremiah Ray pleaded guilty Tuesday to stabbing the paramedic. The incident happened Feb. 25. The paramedics were stopped at a traffic light near downtown Portland when Ray opened the door to the ambulance and tried to get inside. There was a struggle and one of the paramedics was stabbed.
Paramedics who were in the courtroom said more needs to be done to protect them.
“He was indicted with five felony counts. How he was released to the street, and how he’s most likely going to receive probation is a complete mystery to me,” the victim said.
It was clear the impact reached much further than just the one victim. The courtroom was filled with AMR paramedics there in support and looking for help.