Oregon judge sentences attacker of homeless woman severely

A judge in Washington County, Oregon, has sentenced Timothy Fitzgerald to nearly 66 years in prison for violently attacking a homeless woman in a wheelchair. The case involved shocking surveillance footage that prompted Judge Brandon Thompson to impose a harsher sentence than prosecutors recommended. Fitzgerald, 54, had no prior criminal record. He was found guilty of first-degree assault and felony sex offenses. The judge expressed his outrage at Fitzgerald’s actions, stating that he took advantage of a vulnerable person. The attack occurred in the early hours of October 13, 2023, while the woman was sleeping under her wheelchair. Fitzgerald kicked her in the face multiple times before sexually assaulting her. The crimes were clearly documented on security cameras. During the trial, the woman bravely testified, but she did not attend the sentencing hearing. Prosecutor Alyssa Camp emphasized the need to address the issue of violence against homeless individuals, particularly women. Fitzgerald, who appeared in court wearing jail scrubs, expressed remorse for his actions. He stated he wished he could change what happened but acknowledged that he could not. The case has drawn attention to the vulnerabilities faced by homeless individuals in Oregon.