Appeals court overturns conviction in 2018 deadly shooting outside Moda Center

PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV) - A state appeals court has overturned the conviction of a man who was sentenced for a deadly shooting outside the Moda Center.

The shooting happened just before midnight on Oct. 5, 2018, following a comedy show at the Moda Center. Robert James Jr. was charged and convicted of the murder of 44-year-old Markell Devon Jones.

Police said James fired a gun into a Dodge Durango near Northeast Multnomah Street and Northeast Wheeler Avenue. Jones was a passenger in the car and died at the hospital. The driver and a woman standing at a nearby TriMet platform were also hurt.

According to court documents, a gun was later found in the center console of the SUV, but it is unclear if it was ever fired.

James’ attorneys claimed that one of the people in the car pointed a gun at the suspect and he acted in self-defense.

In its ruling released Thursday, the appeals court found that during the trial the court failed to inform the jury that James was not required to retreat in order to claim he acted in self-defense.

James remains in custody at this time.

FOX 12 is working to learn more about what happens next in this case.