A makeshift cell, a daring escape: Oregon case brings kidnapper to justice: Beat Check podcast

Sex workers often face dangerous conditions, but one woman who was abducted from the streets in Seattle was subsequently subjected to unimaginable terror. a man from oregon He drove to her home for hours and left her in the makeshift concrete block cell he had built in his garage in Klamath Falls.

Incredibly, he managed to escape by using brute force to open a small hole, from which he then got stuck. He walked past the garage door and fence before waving at a passing motorist.

Crime and courts reporter Maxine Bernstein covered the trial of Negasi Zuberi, who was convicted for crimes against the woman and another victim whose case came to light during the investigation. Both women met face-to-face with Zuberi while testifying.

After Zuberi waived his right to testify and listened to the prosecution’s closing argument, he suddenly changed his mind. After all, he wanted to testify. The move could disrupt the prosecution’s meticulous strategy of using testimony, cellphone records, Home Depot videos and more to convince jurors of Zuberi’s guilt.

Ultimately, the federal judge said no, too late for Zuberi to change his mind. Jurors found him guilty of multiple crimes involving two women.

In this episode about sexual assault, Bernstein explains:

–Frightening journey from Seattle to Klamath Falls with kidnapper

–Escape to the streets of the neighborhood

–The second victim’s condition and how the police responded to her report

Listen to the full conversation: