HILLSBORO, Ore. (AP) – A man who was jailed for 2½ years so he couldn’t avoid taking the witness stand in his son’s murder trial was freed Thursday after providing two hours of often-combative testimony.
Benito Vasquez-Hernandez committed no crime, but a judge ordered the 60-year-old Mexico native held because of fears he would flee rather testify against his son, who is accused of killing a suburban Portland woman in 2012.
Federal and state material witness laws allow for the detainment of anyone who might have information about a criminal investigation. Though the use of such laws is not uncommon, it is extremely rare for someone to be held as long as Vasquez-Hernandez was.
State law also requires compensation of $7.50 a day for a material witness.
Defense lawyer Alan Biederman told The Oregonian that he was directed to pick up an envelope of money from the district attorney’s office for Vasquez-Hernandez. He says the envelope contained a check for $5,750 and another $232 in cash. He took it to the jail and left it with deputies to give to his client.