ONTARIO, Ore. (AP) — A Colorado man charged in what Oregon prosecutors say was a hate crime stabbing has been found unfit for trial and will be sent to the Oregon State Hospital before his legal case can move forward.
The Argus-Observer in Ontario reports Malheur County Circuit Court Judge Lung Hung ordered Wednesday that Nolan Strauss be transported to the hospital for treatment.
Strauss, a 26-year-old long-haul semi truck driver from Colorado Springs, Colorado, has been charged with several felonies including attempted murder, assault and bias crime. The Ontario Police Department said Strauss had been in the area a couple of days when he allegedly stabbed a black man at an Arby’s Restaurant at an eastern Oregon truck stop on Dec. 21. Police said there is no indication the two men knew each other or interacted before the sudden attack.
Police say the victim, Ronnell Hughes, 48, tried to fend off the attack but sustained multiple stab wounds to his neck before truck stop employees were able to restrain the attacker.
Strauss has not yet entered a plea, and was unable to be reached for comment.
