A man accused of killing a nurse who had just married her boyfriend days earlier was met with a parade of protesters during his brief court hearing.
Jonathan Bryce Schubert, 27, murdered his neighbor Melissa Jubane, 32, in early September, Oregon prosecutors say.
Schubert, who lived across the street from Jubane in Beaverton, pleaded not guilty.
Meanwhile, his supporters have described Jubane’s murder as a symptom of broader social ills, specifically injustices affecting Asian American women.
Dozens of people held up pieces of paper with the woman’s name outside the courthouse as they chanted. Others sat in the room while Schubert remained chained for only three minutes.
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A man accused of killing a nurse who had just married her boyfriend days earlier was greeted by a parade of protesters during his brief hearing Tuesday.
Jonathan Bryce Schubert, 27, murdered his neighbor in early September, Oregon prosecutors say, hence the large presence of protesters.
‘Justice for Melissa Jubane!’ some shouted, as the suspect was led out of the courtroom ahead of the newly set date of Nov. 8.
‘Justice for Melissa Jubane!’ shouted a woman leading the revelry with a megaphone, who introduced herself as Christianne Mae.
Mae belongs to the Filipino organization Gabriela Portland, a group that attempts to “advance the militant women’s movement in the Philippines and around the world.”
She, along with event co-organizer Fredi Misay, further told the Oregonian how those chanting outside were frustrated by the slow progress of the first-degree murder case, noting that it will be another month before Schubert’s next hearing.
“We are really here to expose this situation,” Misay said.
Meanwhile, Mae asked attendees to remember Schubert’s next court date and make sure to return at that time and bring someone with them.
“Bring someone, at least one person,” he told attendees, most of whom filed into the courtroom to watch the brief proceedings. ‘Let’s multiply. Let’s move.”
Their neighbor, Melissa Jubane, 32, was murdered in early September. She was reported missing on the fourth of that month and her remains were found elsewhere two days later.
Weeks earlier, Jubane had married her longtime boyfriend in her native Hawaii.
Meanwhile, Jubane’s accused killer was escorted in and out of the building, to remain behind bars without the possibility of bail.
He faces charges of first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and second-degree abuse of a corpse in his death, the circumstances of which remain secret.
She had been a nurse at St. Vincent Hospital, just a few miles from the home she shared with her husband, Bryan Llantero, whom she had been dating for ten years.
The two were married in Haleiwa, Hawaii, in August, police said, without disclosing a possible motive.
Meanwhile, prosecutors sealed the probable cause affidavit in the case, which will continue with another status hearing.
Schubert is also accused of kidnapping and abusing Jubane’s body, which was found two days after she disappeared on September 4.
That same day, the Beaverton man was arrested. Within two weeks, he pleaded not guilty to all charges brought against him, as he continues to fight the case.
It is unknown if the relationship between Jubane and Schubert went beyond the fact that they were neighbors.
‘Justice for Melissa Jubane!’ some shouted as the suspect was led out of the courtroom ahead of the newly minted date of Nov. 8.
It is still unknown whether the relationship between Jubane and Schubert went beyond the fact that they were neighbors, as the circumstances of the case are still under wraps.
However, authorities linked him to her death after his remains were found and he was immediately taken into custody.
Other facets of the case remained sealed as of Wednesday, and Schubert will now have another status hearing on Nov. 8.
It was also revealed that the suspect also recently worked as a nurse at Providence Portland Medical Center from 2022 to 2023, a representative said.
The spokesperson further said the suspect has never worked at St. Vincent, where Jubane worked.
“We are extremely grateful for the detectives and other staff working diligently on this case, for the love and support we are receiving from across the nation, and for all the prayers.” his family wrote in a statement.
A spokesperson for Providence St. Vincent Hospital added: ‘Our hearts are broken by the news of the death of our nurse and Providence St. Vincent colleague, Melissa Jubane.
“This surprises us all and her co-workers mourn her. Melissa was an exceptional nurse, committed to our Providence Mission and daily demonstrating our values of compassion, excellence and integrity.’
The case, as of this writing, remains ongoing.
