Mistaken release of murder suspect sparks manhunt in Oregon

In Oregon, a significant error occurred when Ty Sage, a 26-year-old man charged with second-degree murder and first-degree robbery, was mistakenly released from custody. The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office reported that Sage was allowed to post bail on Monday, September 20, despite having actually been denied bail during his court appearance on September 17. This oversight led to a multi-day manhunt across the state as officials sought to apprehend him following his unexpected exit from the Multnomah County Detention Center. On Thursday, September 23, law enforcement officials confirmed that Sage was apprehended without incident at a gas station off Highway 101 in Florence, Oregon. His release was first brought to the attention of the sheriff's office, prompting Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O'Donnell to publicly address the situation during a press conference. In her statement, she indicated that the circumstances of Sage's release should not have occurred and acknowledged the distress it caused, especially to the family of Lowgunn Ivey, the 15-year-old victim connected to Sage's case. The sheriff expressed commitment to ensuring such a mistake does not happen again, emphasizing the responsibility of the sheriff's office to uphold community trust and enhance procedural safeguards. The sheriff described the staff involved in Sage's release as acting in good faith based on the miscommunication regarding his bail status. Fortunately, no employees have been placed on leave as of now, as the investigation into the incident continues. As the authorities navigate this difficult situation, the community and the family of Lowgunn Ivey seek justice. Sage's case is marked by the complex circumstances surrounding the death of Ivey during what was allegedly a drug and gun deal setup. This tragic event occurred in December 2021, and Sage has since pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him. The sheriff's office has committed to learning from this incident and addressing the procedural errors that allowed for such a release to take place, all while the family of the victim copes with the ongoing trauma related to the case.