Editing Jeremy Joseph Christian (section)

==Background==
Christian already had a lengthy criminal record before the stabbings took place. He had been convicted previously of kidnapping and the robbery of a convenience store in May 2002, and sentenced to 90 months in prison for that offense.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/30/us/portland-train-teenager-stabbing-arraignment/ Portland stabbing suspect yells in court: Free speech or die], ''CNN''</ref> During the robbery, he wore a ski mask, wielded a .38-caliber revolver, and handcuffed the store owner to a pole in the store; he was apprehended several blocks away from the store.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/07/us/jeremy-joseph-christian-portland-stabbing/index.html Accused Portland stabber reveals himself – in his own words], ''CNN''</ref> Christian was also arrested in 2010 on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and theft, but those charges were later dropped.<ref>[http://www.cbsnews.com/news/jeremy-joseph-christian-portland-stabbing-muslim-hate-speech/ Suspect named in killing of 2 people who defended Muslim women], ''CBS News''</ref>

He held extremist views, posting neo-[[Nazi]], [[Anti-Semitism|antisemitic]], and far-right material on social media, as well as material indicating an affinity for political violence.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2017/05/28/us/ap-us-fatal-stabbing-portland-the-latest.html The Latest: 1 of 2 Girls Harassed on Train Speaks Out], ''Associated Press''</ref> Christian described himself as a white nationalist. The Oregonian noted that Christian made many contradictory Facebook posts, but that such contradictions are typical of extremists. At times he expressed support for Bernie Sanders and [[Donald Trump]], although he wrote he did not vote. He was also an anti-circumcision extremist.<ref>[https://townhall.com/columnists/jackkerwick/2017/05/30/white-supremacist-attack-in-portland-fake-news-vs-clear-thinking-on-jeremy-christian-n2333375 White Supremacist Attack in Portland? Fake News vs. Clear Thinking on Jeremy Christian], ''Townhall''</ref> According to friends and acquaintances Christian's actions were becoming increasingly unstable, and he was in need of mental help, but he had not been given a formal diagnosis.

In April 2017, Christian wrote, "I just Challenged Ben Ferencz (Last Living Nuremberg Persecutor) to a Debate in the Hague with [[Vladimir Putin|Putin]] as our judge. I will defend the Nazis and he will defend the AshkeNAZIs [a reference to European Jews]."<ref>[https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2017/05/27/portland-stabbings-man-arrested-double-murder-after-allegedly-threatening-muslim-women-has Portland Stabbings: Man Arrested for Double Murder After Allegedly Threatening Muslim Women Has Racist Views, Praised Timothy McVeigh], ''Southern Poverty Law Center''</ref> He praised [[Timothy McVeigh]] in an online posting on April 19, the anniversary of the 1995 [[The Oklahoma City Bombing|Oklahoma City bombing]].<ref>[https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/05/27/530351468/2-dead-1-injured-after-stabbing-in-portland-ore White Supremacist Charged With Killing 2 In Portland, Ore., Knife Attack], ''NPR''</ref> He also "posted conspiracy theory memes from the right-wing [[Alex Jones]] Channel".

According to ''The Portland Mercury'', Christian was a "known right-wing extremist and [[White Power Movement|white supremacist]]". He had participated in various [[Alt-Right]] rallies in Portland, including attending at least one rally hosted by the far-right group [[Patriot Prayer]].<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/may/27/portland-double-murder-white-supremacist-muslim-hate-speech Suspect in Portland double murder posted white supremacist material online], ''The Guardian''</ref> One month before the stabbing, Christian appeared at the right-wing March for Free Speech in Portland's Montavilla Park. He wore a Revolutionary War-era flag of the United States, and carried a baseball bat, which police confiscated. He gave [[Hitler Salute|Nazi salutes]], and used a racial slur at least once. At the event, Christian was videotaped shouting "Die, Muslims!"<ref>[http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2017/05/who_is_jeremy_christian_facebo.html|title=Who White Supremacist Attack in Portland? Who is Jeremy Christian? Facebook shows a man with nebulous political affiliations who hated circumcision and Hillary Clinton], ''The Oregonian''</ref>

The day before the killings Christian had made racial threats on another train, threatened a conductor, and hurled a bottle at a black woman who then maced him, as seen on cell phone videos.<ref>[http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2017/05/portland_stabbing_suspect_invo.html#incart_big-photo Video: Portland MAX stabbing suspect made racial threats hours before slayings], ''Oregon Live''</ref> Christian told police that he had dropped out of high school, but later earned his high school equivalency and took classes at Portland Community College for a year. He identified himself to police as a transient who did "not know the last time he had a permanent address" and lived with friends and family.

On June 24, 2020, Christian was sentenced to two consecutive life terms—one for each count of first-degree murder—with no possibility of parole. Christian was given an additional 51.5 years for related charges.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200626151210/https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2020/06/live-updates-max-train-murderer-jeremy-christian-will-be-sentenced-after-more-victims-testify.html Judge sentences MAX train murderer Jeremy Christian to 'true life': He should never be released from prison], ''The Oregonian''</ref>