PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -
It was a court appearance decades overdue for Jeffrey Cutlip who now faces murder charges in connection with three Portland cold cases.
Detectives say he's accused of killing Marlene Carlson, 44, in 1975; Julie Bennett, 15, in 1977; and Nilene Doll, 33, in 1993.
Detectives say Jeffrey Cutlip, who had been living in Brownsville, TX, called the Brownsville Police Department last month and admitted his involvement in the murders.
"I never had any idea he was going to grow up like this," Brian Cutlip, Jeffrey's cousin, told Fox 12.
Records show Jeffrey Cutlip has spent much of the past three decades in and out of prison for convictions including sodomy and burglary, as well as a number of parole violations.
The latest violation from January 2011 resulted in a warrant being issued, according to a Multnomah County spokesperson.
The state of Oregon considered him a predatory sex offender and noted he targeted women who were strangers and used threats and weapons to gain compliance.
"It's just very surreal," said Jackie Warrington, a past victim from a burglary case.
Warrington says she lived across from Jeffrey Cutlip on Northwest Pettygrove in 1978. She told Fox 12 one night he broke into her home and attacked her, in front of her daughter, who was then 10 years old.
"He basically started to try and overpower me. I was trying to fight him off," described Warrington who said her daughter then woke up and started screaming which seemed to divert his attention.
Warrington said he finally left, but until now, she had no idea she was facing someone now accused of multiple murders.
"I just feel we are really, really lucky," said Warrington.
She's now closely following his new court case, as her thoughts remain with the loved ones of the women killed.
"I hope to see these other families get closure, finally, after all these years," said Warrington.
A trial has been scheduled for October 8. Jeffrey Cutlip's attorney entered a not guilty plea on his behalf Tuesday afternoon. He remains in jail, held without bail.
Prosecutors say Jeffrey Cutlip's activities over the past 40 years are still under investigation by the cold case unit. Detectives would still like to hear from anyone with information.
Detective Jim Lawrence can be reached at (503) 823-0867 or James.Lawrence@PortlandOregon.gov. Detective Meredith Hopper can be reached at (503) 823-0865 or Meredith.Hopper@PortlandOregon.gov.
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