Prosecutor drops murder charge against Bend man in May stabbing killing, says OSP crime lab tests failed to prove case

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Murder charges and another charge were dropped Friday against a homeless Bend man who was arrested for stabbing another homeless man to death in late May. Oregon State Police lab tests found no conclusive evidence of his guilt, Deschutes County District Attorney Steve Gunnels said Friday.

A judge signed an order dismissing all charges against 31-year-old Brian Lee Wynn, who was charged in June with first-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon – a knife – in connection with the killing of 62-year-old David Carroll Hickman, whose body was found at his campsite behind a gas station on North Highway 97.

Gunnels said Bend Police detectives submitted evidence to the OSP crime lab for forensic testing, which “did not provide conclusive evidence that Brian Lee Wynn was responsible for Hickman's death.”

The prosecution then filed a motion and District Judge Alycia Herriott signed an order dismissing the charges against Wynn, who was released from county jail Friday afternoon.

“The Bend Police Department’s investigation into Mr. Hickman’s murder continues and additional forensic testing is being conducted,” Gunnels said in a press release

Just on Wednesday, Judge Alycia Herriott scheduled an eight-day hearing in the case for February 4 next year.

Gunnels told NewsChannel 21: “The crime lab released its report yesterday (Thursday) that led to this decision. The Bend Police detectives involved in this case agree with this decision based on the current evidence.”