Redmond, Ore. – Dakota Ortwein and Reyanne West, both 17 years of age, pled guilty today in connection with the May 19th assault of Ortwein’s mother.
Ortwein pled guilty to Assault in the Second Degree.
West pled guilty to Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Attempted Assault in the Second Degree based on the theory that she conspired with Ortwein to commit the crimes.
Ortwein and West planned to kill Ortwein’s mother and then burn down her house with her body left inside.
In execution of the plan, Ortwein hid in the house he shares with his mother and when she arrived home he sprayed her with pepper-spray and then began striking her on her head with a baseball bat.
Fortunately, Ortwein’s mother, after being struck numerous times in her head, was able to wrestle the bat away from her son and call 911. Redmond police quickly responded to the scene and took Ortwein into custody.
Deschutes County Circuit Court Judge Brady sentenced Ortwein to 70 months and West to 20 months incarceration.
The convictions West and Ortwein received are adult convictions. However, they will serve their time in custody in juvenile correctional facilities until they are 18, and subsequently so long as approved by the Oregon Youth Authority.
“We don’t know what drives a child to commit such a horrific act against his mother,” said Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel. “Regardless of the motive, a crime such as this must result in a significant punishment to convey that our community does not stand for this type of violence.”
Hummel further stated: “At the same time our hearts might seek vengeance, our heads know that science reveals adolescent brains have weak brakes. The sentence I negotiated strikes a balance between tough, with Ortwein serving 70 months in-custody, and fair, by crafting sentences that authorize these kids to serve time in a juvenile facility.”
Hummel concluded: “My sympathies are with the Ortwein and West’s families as they continue to grapple with the reality of what these kids did.”
