Jesse Calhoun, an accused serial killer in Oregon, was arraigned on Wednesday for the murder of a fifth woman, Ashley Real. His lawyer entered a not guilty plea to second-degree murder during a brief hearing in Portland.
Calhoun, 41, already faced charges in the deaths of four other women whose bodies were discovered between 2022 and 2023. The victims include Kristin Smith, 22; Charity Perry, 24; Bridget Webster, 31; and Joanna Speaks, 32. Their remains were found within a 100-mile radius, with Speaks discovered in an abandoned barn in southwestern Washington and the others in Oregon. Real's body was found in a pond in Clackamas County in May 2023.
Prosecutors announced they intend to try Calhoun for all five murders in a single trial next year, rather than conducting separate proceedings. Calhoun, who did not speak during the arraignment, faces five counts of second-degree murder and four counts of abuse of a corpse.
Family members of the victims attended the hearing. Ashley Real's sister, Masciell Real, said, 'Being able to see him, and know that he is behind bars now, it takes the weight off my shoulders.' Her father, Jose Real, previously told police that his daughter had reported Calhoun choked her in November 2022. Melissa Smith, mother of Kristin Smith, also attended, expressing solidarity with the other families.
Calhoun was arrested in June 2023 on unrelated parole warrants and indicted in May 2024 in the deaths of three women. He had been released early from a four-year prison sentence in 2021 after participating in a prison firefighting program. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek revoked that commutation in 2023 as the investigation progressed.
