Oregon State Penitentiary inmate convicted in 2003 Bend robbery, kidnap and assault dies at 72
Barney Lerten
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — A 72-year-old Oregon State Penitentiary inmate who was convicted and received a lengthy sentence in a 2003 robbery, kidnapping and assault in Bend died Wednesday morning at the prison’s infirmary, Oregon Department of Corrections officials said.
Stuart Ross Anderson III “passed away in the infirmary while on hospice care,” the announcement said.
As with all in-custody deaths, the Oregon State Police have been notified, and the State Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death.
Anderson entered state custody on June 22, 2004, from Deschutes County, with an earliest release date of January 4, 2040. Anderson was 72 years old. Next of kin has been notified.
According to a state Court of Appeals ruling that affirmed Anderson’s lengthy sentence, the then-Bend resident entered a fabric store (Joann’s Fabrics) in Bend on August 10, 2003, approached a cashier and demanded money, claiming to have a gun.
After receiving money, he left and crossed the parking lot toward Timber’s Tavern, where a worker was outside talking with a friend.
The ruling, quoting official accounts, said Anderson tried to enter the worker’s truck and demanded the man give him a ride. He refused and dragged Anderson out of his truck, then began walking away.
A fabric store employee yelled to the tavern worker, asking him to stop Anderson because he’d just robbed the store. As he approached the suspect, Anderson pulled a heavy rubber mallet from his bag and struck the victim in the head, knocking him unconscious. He was soon arrested by Bend Police.
DOC said it “takes all in-custody deaths seriously. The agency is responsible for the care and custody of approximately 12,000 men and women who are incarcerated in 12 institutions across the state. While crime information is public record, DOC elects to disclose only upon request out of respect for any family or victims.”
OSP is a multi-custody prison located in Salem that houses approximately 2,000 adults in custody. OSP is surrounded by a 25-foot-high wall with 10 towers. The facility has multiple special housing units including disciplinary segregation, behavioral health, intermediate care housing, and an infirmary (with hospice) with 24-hour nursing care. OSP participates in prison industries with Oregon Corrections Enterprises including the furniture factory, laundry, metal shop, and contact center. It provides a range of correctional programs and services including education, work-based education, work crews, and pre-release services. OSP was established in 1866 and, until 1959, was Oregon’s only prison.