Bio

Reyes Miranda was born on December 20, 1959. By 1987, Miranda was living in Oregon. His case became publicly known after he and Stephen Leroy Nefstad were connected to the robbery and killing of Steven A. Jackson. The crime involved the theft of Jackson’s pickup truck and bank card.

Before the murder, Miranda and Nefstad met Jackson at a bar. Evidence later showed that Miranda was seen using Jackson’s bank card shortly after Jackson was killed. Police also found evidence linking Miranda to the victim’s blood and vehicle.

Miranda was originally sentenced to death in 1988, but that sentence was later overturned. His conviction remained in place, and he was ultimately resentenced to life imprisonment.

Murder Story

On March 13, 1987, Steven A. Jackson met Reyes Miranda and Stephen Leroy Nefstad at a bar in Oregon. Jackson was later seen leaving the bar with both men. Less than an hour later, a bank surveillance camera recorded Miranda withdrawing $200 from Jackson’s account using Jackson’s bank card. Reports state that Miranda appeared to have blood on his shirt at the time.

Jackson was killed during a robbery. He suffered multiple stab wounds, including fatal wounds to his heart and lung. A medical examiner later testified that Jackson had been stabbed while inside a vehicle and had lost most of his blood before his body was dumped.

Jackson’s body was later found in a gorge in Vancouver, Washington. Very little blood was found where the body was dumped, but Miranda’s car contained a large amount of Jackson’s blood. Investigators also found that Miranda had Jackson’s truck the morning after the killing.

The evidence showed that Jackson had been robbed of his pickup truck and bank card. Miranda repeatedly returned to teller machines after the killing to withdraw money from Jackson’s account. Police also found bloody clothing connected to Miranda.

Miranda and Nefstad were both charged and convicted in connection with Jackson’s murder. Miranda was convicted of aggravated murder and sentenced to death on February 23, 1988.

In 1990, the Oregon Supreme Court reviewed Miranda’s case. The court upheld his aggravated murder conviction but found an error in the sentencing proceeding. Because of that error, the court overturned the death sentence and sent the case back for a new sentencing hearing. Miranda was later resentenced to life imprisonment.