Judge reschedules Bend murder suspect Caleb Cegers’ trial for next January

KTVZ on February 5, 2025

Barney Lerten

(Update: Jan. 2026 trial date set)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The trial of a downtown Bend murder suspect, originally set for last month, was rescheduled on Monday to take place next January, despite the judge’s original intent to have Caleb Cegers tried before 2025 comes to a close.

With Cegers, 21, watching by video from jail, Deschutes County Circuit Judge Beth Bagley reset the 10-day jury trial to begin next Jan. 13, after a trial readiness hearing on Dec. 15.

A week ago, Bagley denied Cegers’ bid for a new court-appointed lawyer after he claimed his defense attorneys had not kept in close enough contact with him, “yelled and cussed” at him and called him stupid.

The judge rejected those allegations by Cegers, who faces second-degree murder and other charges in the August 2023 fatal shooting of Taylor Wyss, 33, of Redmond on the sidewalk outside a downtown Bend bar.

Cegers had a delay in his trial, which was set for last month, much to the dismay of Wyss’s family. Instead, Bagley set last Monday’s hearing and instructed the prosecution and defense in the case to come up with mutually agreeable dates to hold the 10-day trial before the end of the year.

Attorney Lisa Valenta of the Bend Attorney Group had filed a motion to withdraw from the case, which Bagley denied last week after hearing Cegers’ complaints.

The defendant, who remains held without bail, said his relationship with Valenta and recently appointed co-counsel Dylan Potter “has completely deteriorated” and that it took six months at first for Valenta to contact him.

“As of today, Miss Valenta has yelled at me, cussed at me and screamed at me on multiple occasions,” he said, and in “one outburst even called me stupid.”

Cegers also said that he has found it “extremely difficult to get in contact with Miss Valenta,” and that she “flakes on me” and doesn’t show up as promised.

At one such meeting, he claimed, “She rolled her eyes, shrugged her shoulders and told me, ‘So what? I didn’t have the time.’”

Cegers accused Potter of the same behavior, and later, when asked by the judge if she could continue to work with him, Cegers first said perhaps as co-counsel, but later said that he did not want him as his lawyer, either.

“This is my life on the line, your honor,” Cegers said, claiming the standard of practice attorneys take an oath for was not being upheld.

But Bagley told Cegers that while he is entitled to competent representation, both attorneys “are qualified to handle a trial of this magnitude.”

The judge first told Cegers a new trial date is “most likely 6-12 months in the future,” which would “give your attorney plenty of time to work with you to prepare” for the case.

Valenta told the judge did not address her client’s claims directly but said she had spoken with Cegers several times by phone but on one recent occasion involving a full jail she had to leave before their planned meeting. The next day, Jan. 14, she did explain the issues involved with his request to move the trial elsewhere.

“That’s caused a breakdown in the attorney-client relationship,” Valenta said.

The judge denied the attorney’s motion to withdraw from the case.

“I don’t find there’s any real problem here,” Bagley said. And said they had been meeting “frequently and regularly” with Cegers.

“I’m going to encourage everybody to maybe start fresh,” the judge said, “and try to work on the relationship” going forward.

“Mr. Cegers, you need to have realistic expectations,” Bagley said, noting that his attorneys are “very experienced. They do know what they’re doing. You may not agree with their legal advice, but that’s their job. They probably cannot speak to you every single day. They have obligations to other clients. To the extent that there’s anything happening, you apprised of that. I don’t see sufficient basis to remove them.”

As the talk moved to trial dates, Cegrers asked the judge, “Could I say something?”

“Yes,” Bagley replied.

“I don’t feel it’s right that should be represented by someone who called me stupid,” Cegers said.

The judge replied: “I am not convinced that’s what happened, Mr. Cegers. They are good lawyers.  … If you want something different, you are welcome to represent yourself – which is a terrible idea – or you can hire your own attorney. I find no reason or cause to remove them from your case. They will be your lawyers, and you need to accept that.”

Bagley also was firm on not pushing the trial too far out – and did not want it to happen in 2026: “This trial will be conducted this year,” she said, a goal not quite reached in Monday’s subsequent hearing.

Potter mentioned requesting funds from the state for a firearm/ballistics expert and as the talk turned to what dates are available, Bagley said, “These are issues for all of you to work out… We’re resetting the trial on Monday.”

Several snowplows hit in the past week; ODOT pleads not to pass on the right – it’s dangerous, often illegal

KTVZ on February 5, 2025

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As the next winter storm moves across the state Tuesday, ODOT said its crews are working around the clock to help keep highways safe. Very cold temperatures overnight will create icy and dangerous conditions. 

The safest place to be during a winter storm is at home. If you must travel, stay alert on the road and use caution when approaching snowplows. 

Remember, passing a snowplow on the right is illegal when there is no lane available and the driver lacks a clear view ahead. It’s not just against the law, it’s dangerous. Passing snowplows puts you at risk of hitting the plow blades, damaging your vehicle, or even losing control and going off the road. 

“Please don’t pass us. Leave room and understand that we are here to keep people safe and traffic flowing,” said Warren Nelson, coordinator of the ODOT crew in Bend.

Many plows have retractable wing blades that extend eight feet into the right lane. Dual-wing plows used on some multi-lane highways also have plow blades that extend from the left side of the truck. 

Plowed snow may contain rocks and other debris, so the safe choice is to stay several car lengths behind plows. They travel slowly but will pull over periodically to let you pass. 

There were multiple snowplows hit over the past week alone. Crews say they appreciate when drivers give them extra space. 

“When a snowplow is damaged, it is placed out of service. With one less plow able to help clear our roads, it means more delays and closures for travelers,” said Jeremiah Griffin, ODOT district manager in the Rogue Valley. 

If you must travel during a winter storm, here are a few tips: 

Know before you go. Visit TripCheck.com for road conditions along your entire route. 

Remember that many TripCheck.com cameras include temperature, elevation and other critical details. It’s worth noting that cameras may be temporarily disabled during winter storms due to power outages or extreme conditions.  

Drive for conditions. If encountering rain, mud, snow, ice or extra traffic, be sure to slow down and give extra space for stopping. 

Keep your vehicle in good operating shape, checking brakes, lights, tires and wipers regularly. 

In wintry conditions, visibility can be poor. Turn on your headlights and watch out for people walking and biking.  

Pay attention to roadside message signs. They contain critical information about conditions on the road ahead. 

Remember your basic safety rules — wear your seat belt, reduce distractions and do not drive impaired.

If you’re not comfortable traveling in snow and ice, consider using public transportation. Be aware that service may be delayed or offline during severe weather, so always check schedules and updates before heading out.

Dozens of crashes reported as snow lingers across the High Desert; police urge drivers to make safety a priority

KTVZ on February 5, 2025

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Snowfall returned and lingered across much of the High Desert on Tuesday in the wake of Monday’s first round in weeks, leading to dozens of crashes, rollovers, slide-offs and fender-benders on area highways and reminders about proper preparation and safe winter driving.

Deschutes County 911 dispatch reported that they sent first responders to at least 50 crashes from 3:30 p.m. Monday to mid-afternoon Tuesday.

A dispatcher told KTVZ News the median divider installed on Highway 97 at Deschutes Junction between Bend and Redmond has definitely helped prevent more serious injuries, as a couple of crashes in that area didn’t cause issues in the oncoming lanes.

Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller told KTVZ News, “We’ve had 30 calls for service reporting motor vehicle accidents yesterday and today.”

“Ours are mostly fender-bender, non-injury crashes,” Miller said. “I count seven hit-and-runs as well. We’ve also responded to at least 23 hazards – typically vehicles that are stuck in the snow.”

Redmond Police responded on Monday and through mid-afternoon Tuesday to a dozen crashes, three of them hit-and-run, and two hazards involving vehicles stuck due to the snowy weather, Lieutenant April Huey said.

PulePoint data showed Redmond Fire & Rescue responding to at least six crashes on Tuesday and one Monday evening.

All of the High Desert was under a winter storm warning Tuesday, generally to the east, or a winter weather advisory for more snowfall until Wednesday morning, and the chances of more snow continue off and on through the week.

Miller said she wants to remind people: “It is your responsibility as a driver to make sure you have decent tires, brakes, windshield wipers, etc.”

“We want people to clean off their cars so that they can see out their windshields, and preferably clear the tops of their vehicles as well, so they’re not leaving snow billowing behind them as they drive down the road, blinding the people behind them,” she added.

In fact, Bend PD made that point in a Facebook post Monday, noting that it’s illegal to drive without clearing your view:

“And of course, slow down – give extra space, especially when coming to a stop or trying to get started on an icy or snowy road,” Miller urged. “Just because you have snow tires or studs doesn’t mean you can drive like you normally would. You need to account for the weather and drive for the conditions.”