On October 9, 2022, police found the body of 54-year-old James Orlando Harris in Portland, Oregon. Initially responding to a report of "suspicious circumstances," officers discovered James's body in a sleeping bed dumped in some bushes off the highway. The autopsy revealed he died from a hammer blow to the head and strangulation with a dog leash, likely on October 4, days before his body was found.

Who could have done this? The investigation soon pointed to Zachary Hackman, who had just returned from a vacation with his girlfriend's family. His girlfriend, Lara Jean Harris, also came back from a concert when Zach, who sometimes went by the alias Zach Call, called her to help him "clean out some trash." Unbeknownst to her, she was helping him dispose of her father's body.

LaraJean didn't call the police out of fear for her safety. However, police eventually discovered James' body due to an unrelated suspicious circumstance report. The investigation, initially for a suspicious death, turned into a homicide case after the medical examiner's report confirmed "homicidal violence."

Surveillance footage showed Zachary covering James' kitchen window with a towel on the day of the murder and later, with LaraJean, carrying a heavy container to her car. LaraJean claimed she had no idea she was disposing of her father's body and didn't call the police out of fear for her life. She was not charged, but Zachary was arrested on October 23, 2023, and charged with second-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon, and abuse of a corpse.

Following a plea agreement, Zachary was sentenced to 17 years for first-degree manslaughter and an additional two years for abuse of a corpse. He will also serve three years of post-prison supervision upon release. Despite the severity of his crimes, Zachary has never given a motive for the murder.

What do you think about the sentence? Why was it labeled manslaughter and not murder? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Episode mentioned:
Man Murders His Entire Family Twice | Gregory Green
https://murderandlove.com/man-murders-his-entire-family-twice-the-unbelievable-case-of-gregory-green/

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