Despite warnings from authorities that the sentences Daniel Gore faces could be wafer thin, depending on how juvenile laws are read, the horror-obsessed Salem youngster found guilty of the rape and murder of 13-year-old Milana Lion Mothers Day 2022 was sentenced to life in prison on Monday.
In less than ninety minutes last month, a Washington County jury found Gore, now eighteen, guilty of first-degree rape, murder, and sexual abuse after hearing two weeks’ worth of evidence. Prosecutors said the case was maybe the most heinous local crime in two decades.
Prior to sentencing, Senior Deputy District Attorney John Gerhard stated that the defendant has already received significant breaks from juvenile justice reform and that this court does not need to give him any more opportunities to harm our community.
The highest penalty permitted by law, life in prison with the prospect of parole after 38 years and four months, was agreed upon by Circuit Judge Ricardo Menchaca.
However, Gore will actually be eligible for parole after 15 years because to measures made by lawmakers in 2019. Furthermore, as early as seven years from now, teenage defendants may be eligible for a second look hearing that would allow them to request sentence reductions midway during their term.
When Gore lured Li, a Conestoga Middle School student, into the woods behind the Progress Ridge shopping center, he was a 16-year-old Salem fugitive. Gore carried Li’s body into a creek and covered her with a tarp after strangling her to death, effectively killing the only person who saw his sex crimes.
By messaging common acquaintances that he got drunk and broke up with Li earlier on May 8, he tried to create an alibi, but cellphone data and security footage refuted that claim.
The last recorded sighting of 13-year-old Milana Li was on May 8, 2022, according to a liquor store security video. The 16-year-old Daniel Gore is seen sporting a crimson raincoat.District Attorney for Washington County
Her mother, Assel Li, thought her older daughter was already at school when she first arrived home from a night shift. She reported her missing after quickly discovering the truth. Li’s body was found during the subsequent search while Beaverton police officers surrounded Gore, who was taken into custody two days later.
According to Assel Li, her daughter was motivated to work with youngsters after spending time caring for her now eight-year-old younger sister.
Why must Milana become an angel at such a young age? she asks me. Assel Li remarked, “I have no answers.” I have no idea how much it cost me to simply survive.
Since state lawmakers passed the 2019 reforms, Gore is among the few juvenile defendants in Oregon to be tried in adult court. He will start his time in the correctional facility run by the Oregon Youth Authority.
Gore’s preoccupation with serial killers and the horrorcore artist 7vxn was evident in his diary entries and police interviews. In a memo drafted by prosecutors, Gore claimed he felt very at ease wearing a white skull mask that was associated with the rapper while officers swabbed him for DNA evidence. Investigators learned that Gore had a blood kink from his girlfriend, Eva Camera.
Timeline:
The Killing of Milana Li
On Mother’s Day, 2022, 13-year-old Milana Li was raped and strangled to death in Beaverton’s Progress Ridge forests.
In a sentencing letter, defense lawyer J. Mark Lawrence claimed that Gore’s IQ at the time of the murder was closer to nine years old, based on a psychologist’s evaluation.
Judge Menchaca denied the defense’s contention, stating that Gore’s answers in a police interview indicated he was fully engaged. He also continued to ban media cameras from the courtroom during the sentencing process.
Menchaca attributed the case to the lyrical content of 7xvn, the juvenile justice system’s release of Gore from custody on pending theft and arson charges, and a failure of parenting. The judge even recommended that Assel Li file a lawsuit against the artist.
He wondered how Gore was let to live in a tent in a grove that is a well-liked hangout for teenagers in the middle of Beaverton, a suburb. He said that rather than just hope that Gore would change his mind, more should have been done.
All they could hope for was that you would turn on the light. Menchaca stated, “Instead, we have a deceased young lady.” My goal is for Mr. Gore to never again set foot on these streets.
For The Oregonian/OregonLive, Zane Sparling reports on court proceedings and breaking news. You may contact him at [email protected], 503-319-7083, or pdxzane.
Your support is essential to our journalism. Visit OregonLive.com/subscribe to sign up as a subscriber right now.
Portland area homicides
-
2 men found dead in Wilsonville home were father and son
-
Man begged for his life before parking lot dispute turned deadly; killer gets 20 years
-
Teen runaway guilty in rape, fatal strangulation of 13-year-old Beaverton girl, jury finds
-
Police seek Facebook records in death of Portland woman found dead in car with baby in Vancouver
-
Woman killed in NE Portland when shooter says gun fired accidentally was beautiful person inside and out
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
