A 51-year-old Portland man has been charged with a bias crime and multiple additional offenses after prosecutors say he attacked a transgender woman at a light rail stop near Portland State University earlier this week.
William Thomas Ashley was arraigned Feb. 9 in Multnomah County Circuit Court in connection with the Feb. 8 incident at the MAX station near Southwest 6th Avenue and Southwest Montgomery Street in Portland, according to court records.
According to charging documents, a Portland State University police officer responded to a reported assault and found Ashley and another person fighting on the ground at the transit platform. The officer, who reportedly recognized Ashley from a previous case, separated the individuals.
The alleged victim, a transgender woman, told officers she had been waiting for a train when a man approached her and repeatedly said, “you’re a man.” Prosecutors allege the suspect then grabbed her umbrella and struck her with it before pulling her hair, throwing her to the ground, and punching her multiple times.
Court filings state that during the assault, Ashley allegedly said, “You don’t belong in my country,” language prosecutors argue demonstrates a bias motive.
Investigators also reviewed surveillance footage from TriMet, the regional transit provider. Prosecutors allege the footage shows Ashley attempting to stab the woman. Officers later recovered a knife at the scene.
In addition to the bias crime charge, Ashley faces charges including assault, attempted assault, unlawful use of a weapon, aggravated harassment, interfering with public transportation, criminal mischief, and attempted assault on a police officer. Court records indicate he has prior convictions involving assault and unlawful weapon use.
Prosecutors also connected Ashley to a separate incident the day before the MAX stop attack. According to court documents, he was involved in a confrontation at a store near campus that escalated to the point where an employee used pepper spray in self-defense.
Ashley remains in custody pending further court proceedings. His next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 18.
Under Oregon law, a bias crime may be charged when a person intentionally targets another individual because of perceived or actual characteristics such as gender identity. The Oregon Department of Justice has previously reported increases in bias and hate-related incidents in recent years and encourages victims to report such crimes.
The investigation into the MAX stop attack remains ongoing.
