On Wednesday, Danielle Tudor and Tiffany Edens, who are victims of “Jogger Rapist” Richard Gillmore, joined Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp (R-Bend), Deputy Leader Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer), and Senator Cedric Hayden (R-Fall Creek) for a press conference at the State Capitol. Together, they discussed a series of bills that collectively support victims of sex crimes and promote justice.

Richard Gillmore, a serial rapist of at least 9 victims, was released from prison on December 16th, 2022 as a Level 1 sex offender by the Oregon Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision. Level 1 means the registrant presents the lowest risk of reoffending.

“We have three bills that we think are critically important in keeping Oregonians safe and keeping violent perpetrators in prison,” said Senator Knopp.

• Senate Bill 986 raises the statute of limitations on rape from 12 years to 20 years.
  
  “We think this is necessary to make sure that every victim has the opportunity for justice and that we don’t create more victims by not prosecuting those who have committed violent six crimes against our citizens,” added Knopp.
  
  
• Senate Bill 1022 makes necessary fixes to Oregon’s sex-offender risk level assessment process and methodology.
  
  “In December, Richard Gillmore was evaluated to be a low level 1 sex offender. Obviously, we know that’s not correct – it’s not a fair assessment,” said Tiffany Edens. “Just using one tool, the Static 99-R, is inadequate and it’s not protecting our community. [SB 1022] could alleviate some of the pitfalls in the system.”
  
  “[SB 1022] is really in direct response to what just took place here in the State of Oregon and tackles all of the obstacles that we ran into,” said Danielle Tudor. “If Richard Gillmore is a Level 1 Sex Offender, we have a serious problem.”

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• Senate Bill 1023 clarifies the term ‘victim’ when State Police is required to release sex offender information.

“I’m hopeful that this legislation can move forward through the process and that we can bring some healing in the future,” added Senator Hayden.

“Hopefully we can get these to work through the process and I can be a part of it on the Judiciary Committee on the Senate side,” concluded Senator Thatcher.

These bills have been assigned to the Senate Committee on Judiciary. Letters are being sent to the Committee Chair requesting that they be scheduled for public hearings. The deadline to schedule a work session is March 17th.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-03-10 11:05:48

Last Update: 2023-03-10 16:55:13