The murder trial of Caleb Marion Beehler in Morrow County has come to an end with a verdict of guilty.
Circuit Judge Jon Lieuallen early in the evening of Wednesday, Feb. 14, found Beehler guilty of second-degree murder in the slaying of Richard Broadbent.
Beehler waived his right to a jury trial, opting for a bench trial instead. The proceeding began Feb.12.
Broadbent was the husband to Beehler’s mother, Roxane Broadbent. Beehler and Broadbent argued the night of March 9, 2022, according to court documents, and Beehler shot and killed Broadbent in the driveway of his Boardman home as he tried to flee.
Beehler on Feb. 8 signed an admission that he shot and killed Broadbent. The court accepted the admission on the first day of the trial.
Attorney Dean Gushwa represented Beehler. Oregon Department of Justice Attorney Dan Wendel handled the prosecution. Wendell is a former chief deputy district attorney for Umatilla County.
Morrow County District Attorney Justin Nelson said the defense tried to argue Beehler suffered an extreme emotional disturbance, but Lieuallen rejected that defense.
That means Beehler faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years to life, though he will receive credit for the time he has been in the Umatilla County Jail awaiting trial.
Nelson said he was present for the verdict as were Broadbent’s family, Beehler’s aunt and Roxane Broadbent. Nelson said it was an emotional scene and he feels terrible for Roxane Broadbent. While she received justice for the slaying of her husband, her son was the man responsible and is heading to prison.
The court has yet to set a sentencing date. Nelson said that could as early as next week.
