Police: Driver shows no remorse after cyclist's death

Kurtis Allen Linn faces manslaughter charge after fatal crash that killed Albert Fredrick Sawdon.

Police say a local man has shown a "highly concerning" lack of "genuine remorse or contrition" after allegedly killing a cyclist while driving under the influence in Gresham.

Instead, a Multnomah County sheriff's deputy says Kurtis Allen Linn has spent his time in jail juggling two girlfriends and asking for money over the phone, according to court documents.

"It is obvious from these calls that the two women … do not know the defendant is sexually involved with and professing his undying love to both of them," wrote Deputy Kari Kolberg.

"The defendant tries very hard to keep all of his people compartmentalized so they don't discover his lies," she continued in a report ultimately recommending that Linn stay behind bars until trial.

The 23-year-old has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree manslaughter, two counts of DUII, reckless driving, reckless endangerment, second-degree criminal mischief and fourth-degree assault. A call to his lawyer was not returned.

It was just before 2 a.m. Monday, Oct. 9, when Linn allegedly lost control of his Chevrolet Blazer SUV during a street race on Southeast Stark Street near 212th Avenue, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Several witnesses told police Linn's vehicle was traveling westbound at roughly 55-60 mph while switching lanes and passing traffic in an attempt to outrace the driver of a Honda Civic. The speed limit on that section of Stark is 35 mph.

Linn's vehicle allegedly crossed the centerline, struck an oncoming car and spun out, striking bicyclist Albert Fredrick Sawdon on the sidewalk and launching him about 75 feet. A report by a medical examiner determined Sawdon died after his spine was broken and every rib fractured, making it impossible for him to breath.

One Gresham officer states Linn started joking about stopping for fast food a few minutes after learning of Sawdon's death, according to official records.

Linn told police he had two "jack and coke" mixed drinks before getting behind the wheel, and police found marijuana buds, empty packaging and a pipe in the car's center console. His blood-alcohol content registered at 0.12. He told booking deputies he smokes marijuana every day.

In the jailhouse recordings, Linn described his behavior as part of a pattern.

"Do you know how many times my father has put me in my vehicle after $400 beer nights … alcohol nights … where (my BAC) was way above that," Linn told a friend over the phone, according to a police transcript of the call.

"It's my fault … I chose to hang out with the wrong people... I chose to do the wrong things," Linn concluded.

Born in Portland, Linn was homeless between the ages of 14 and 19 after his father kicked him out. He has a 7-year-old son and worked at Burgerville on Hawthorne Boulevard prior to his arrest, court docs say.

Linn previously lived with one of his girlfriends, a woman 14 years his senior who works at Gresham High School. He apparently makes the other girlfriend call him "daddy," police say.

"He treats both (women) very poorly," wrote corrections deputy Kolberg, noting "he is demeaning, controlling, condescending and sickeningly manipulative."

His defense attorney argues that both parents abused Linn and have their own struggles with mental health and substance abuse.

In a motion to reduce his bail, lawyer Neal Weingart highlighted that Linn has never been arrested or convicted of a crime.

"I imagine that his world has imploded around him, not his 'lies,' as Deputy Kolberg states," the attorney shot back. "Counsel has never seen such a report... in my years of handling felonies in this county."

A Multnomah County Circuit Court judge has not yet ruled on the motion to reduce bail. Linn remains inside the county's downtown lockup as of press time.