June settlement conference set for Bend man charged with murder in May 2023 fatal shooting of Powell Butte man

(Update: adding video)

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) – A June 20 settlement conference was set Thursday in the murder case of a 43-year-old Bend man accused of the fatal May 2023 shooting of a Powell Butte man whose SUV he allegedly stole, later engaging in a police chase on Highway 97 north of Bend and shooting himself several times.

Russell Votruba, 43, appeared by video from the Crook County Jail for the brief hearing before Circuit Judge Annette Hillman.

Defense attorney David Rich told Hillman, "I think we have resolved some discovery issues and would like to get a settlement conference scheduled," a request that District Attorney Kari Hathorn agreed to.

The judge said Votruba will be transported to the courthouse for the settlement conference. She told the attorneys that memos are required to be filed at least a week before that date, including any offers, counter-offers and criminal history worksheets.

Votruba entered not-guilty pleas through his attorney last October to second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, unlawful use of a weapon, unauthorized use of a vehicle and felon in possession of a firearm in the killing of Christopher Hoffman, 41.

Last May 7, Deschutes County 911 dispatchers got a call from a relative of the victim, saying he got a call from a man later identified as Votruba who said he killed a man at the home Hoffman rented on SW Red Cloud Road in Powell Butte, sheriff’s deputies said. Hoffman’s body was found in his home that and deputies learned Votruba had stolen Hoffman’s BMW SUV.

Votruba was spotted a short time later on Highway 97 heading north out of Bend. Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies pursued the vehicle and spike strips were set up, deflating some of the tires. The Pursuit Immobilization Technique was used to stop the vehicle, and deputies said Votruba soon shot himself several times. He survived and soon was moved from St. Charles Bend to the Prineville jail.

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