DCSO release – This statement is in response to Governor Kate Brown’s recent decision to grant clemency to a Douglas County man who was appropriately convicted of Aggravated Murder in 1995 and is now free to victimize other innocent people. Sheriff John Hanlin, “I am absolutely opposed to the Governor granting executive clemency to Kyle Hedquist. Kyle Hedquist conducted a very calculated, cold blooded execution style murder after realizing his victim, Nikki Thrasher, “might” have accidently learned he was involved in a rash of burglaries. Under his own admission, Hedquist said he killed Ms. Thrasher to eliminate the possibility of her turning him into the police. He then dumped her body alongside a remote logging road. The executive clemency granted by Governor Brown in this case is shocking and irresponsible. Governor Brown granted clemency despite compelling arguments and letters of opposition from Douglas County District Attorney Richard Wesenberg, Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson, and Marion County Sheriff Joe Kast. In my opinion, Governor Brown’s decision to grant clemency to Hedquist demonstrates complete disregard for the safety of our community and the community into which he has been released. More shockingly, it deliberately rejects and diminishes the justice delivered in the name of Ms. Thrasher, her family and friends.”
