A Portland resident expressed remorse in court on Thursday, attributing his actions to struggles with drug addiction after he pushed a commuter onto train tracks nearly two years ago.
Michael Moreland, aged 33, received a sentence of five years and ten months for the incident involving Patrick Kirby, whom he shoved onto the tracks of Portland’s MAX Light Rail on May 21, 2024, as a train approached. Although his total sentence was 75 months, Moreland was credited for time already served in custody.
Appearing before the Multnomah County Circuit Court, Moreland admitted guilt to charges of first-degree attempted assault, third-degree robbery, and unlawful weapon use. Judge Christopher Marshall clarified in court that the weapon in question was the approaching train.
The robbery charge stemmed from Moreland’s actions following the initial incident. After shoving Kirby, Moreland proceeded to another block, where he committed multiple robberies, including punching one individual in the face.
Patrick Kirby’s life was saved due to the swift response of train operator William Chastain, who acted quickly to prevent a tragedy.
Chastain recounted to investigators that upon noticing Moreland running near the tracks, he had already begun to slow the train. Witnessing the push, he immediately activated the emergency stop, bringing the train to a halt just a short distance from Kirby.
Moreland, who claims to have no memory of the crimes he committed, said in court on Thursday: ‘Those actions were completely unwarranted, undeserved and extremely frightening. And that’s something that I’m truly sorry for.
‘I have struggled with addiction in my life, but I still hold myself 100% accountable for my actions.’
Michael Moreland, 33, was sentenced to five years and ten months in prison on Thursday for pushing a commuter onto train tracks in Portland. He is pictured in court next to his attorney
Moreland’s victim was Patrick Kirby, who said he was pushed randomly and did not know Moreland at all. He is pictured getting interviewed shortly after the crime
Moreland pushed Kirby onto the tracks of Portland’s MAX Light Rail on May 21, 2024. The conductor managed to stop the train just a foot or two away from Kirby
He pledged to stay sober and added: ‘My addiction robbed me of my sanity. I promise to never let that happen again.’
Moreland’s attorney, Stephen Houze, also said that his client’s actions were caused by his addiction.
Shortly after the frightening close call in 2024, FOX 12 interviewed the victim and the quick-thinking train conductor.
Kirby told the outlet: ‘Out of nowhere, someone I’ve never had any contact with or anything, pushes me from behind right in front of the moving train. Honestly, it was startling. I didn’t have a lot of emotion or thought at all when it happened.’
Chastain told the outlet: ‘All of a sudden, he ran toward the tracks and shoved a guy right into the tracks in front of me. At first, I wasn’t all that shaken, and then after a few minutes, it kind of hit me what all had happened.’
Moreland originally pleaded not guilty to initial charges, but as part of his plea deal, the state dropped several counts.
He was not sentenced as a violent offender, and Judge Marshall deemed Moreland eligible for a ‘very coveted,’ nine-month drug-and-alcohol counseling program that could reduce his sentence by 20 percent, or about a year and two months, if completed.
‘This is a program that is specifically designed to deal with inmates who have had such severe addiction problems,’ Houze told FOX 12.
The train’s operator, William Chastain, said he saw Moreland running by the tracks and had slowed the train before Kirby was pushed, which allowed him to stop it in time
Judge Christopher Marshall did not sentence Moreland as a violent offender and said the convict would be eligible for an addiction counseling program that could reduce his sentence
‘This is the golden opportunity… to become a person who is sober, who can contribute in the community, who will be a good father, a good son. It’s a remarkable turnaround.’
The prosecutor objected to Moreland’s eligibility for the program, but Marshall noted that not many people apologize at their sentencing hearing and said he believed the convict had a support system from his family that would make recovery possible.
At the hearing, the man who was punched in the face, Cruz Morey, also spoke and said he was happy to hear Moreland take responsibility.
