Man convicted of murder after shooting woman during drum circle event in 2022
Wyatt Storm Belcher, 28, was found convicted by a Multnomah County jury on the charges on Thursday, the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office said.
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The incident happened on parking lot while a group was dispersing following a drum circle event, court documents say. Multiple witnesses heard a loud bang and saw the victim, Ash Smith, fall to the ground.
Family members told KOIN 6 News she was a in recent years. Police said Belcher and Smith .
After the shooting, Portland police quickly found Belcher nearby as he matched a description given by witnesses. During a search, police found a .40 caliber Glock 23 holstered to his waistband, prosecutors say.
Back in May 2022, Belcher originally pleaded not guilty to the charges. Then in August of that same year, a and ordered that he be committed to the Oregon Hospital. In 2024, after a psychological evaluation report was created by the Oregon State Hospital, a hearing was held as to whether Belcher was fit to proceed in a trial, with a judge ruling he was, court records show.
After a multi-day hearing that began on Monday, a 12-person jury found Belcher guilty of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon. He will be sentenced on Monday afternoon.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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