BEND, Oregon – The Latest on the case of a man accused of killing a woman in Oregon then kidnapping another woman and taking her to California (all times local):
1:45 p.m.
A man held in jail in California in relation to crimes there has now been charged with four counts of aggravated murder in central Oregon following the killing of a young woman.
Court documents say Edwin Lara, who had already been charged with murder in the death of Kaylee Sawyer, is now charged with the elevated counts.
The indictment says Lara "did unlawfully and intentionally attempt to commit the crime of Sexual Abuse" in the attack on Sawyer, 23, of Bend, Oregon.
The Deschutes County District Attorney says a conviction for aggravated murder carries a maximum penalty of death.
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8:47 a.m.
Many people in a scenic Oregon mountain town are reeling after a man who worked in law enforcement was accused of killing a woman, kidnapping another and taking her to California to carry out other crimes.
Edwin Lara was a public safety officer at Central Oregon Community College in Bend. His wife was a police officer.
After the killing and kidnapping, police say Lara shot a man and then stole a car with three people still inside. He's accused of leading authorities on a high-speed chase on a freeway before being arrested.
Lara's attorneys said they cannot comment, citing a judge's order prohibiting those involved in the case from talking publicly about it.
Aimee Metcalf, assistant director of college relations, says, "This is such a hit on so many levels."
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