Man brutally killed at home

Date Published to Web: 5/2/2007

Ricardo C. Stokes was taking steps to start a new life. He’d quit his job as manager of a furniture store in Tigard. His home at 6564 S.W. Essex Court in Wilsonville, where he lived alone, was on the market. The long-divorced father of two adult children, ages 18 and 21, was even talking about going into business for himself. “His passion was either to start his own furniture company, which he’d done in the past, or flip houses,” his next door neighbor to the south, Andy Bennett, said. But Stokes’s dreams, and his life, came to a tragic end early Sunday morning. Police and medical personnel were summoned to his home, in the Arbor Trail at Landover subdivision, just after midnight. They found him on the front porch of his immediate neighbor to the north. He was apparently trying to get help – but paramedics weren’t able to save him. According to medical examiners, an autopsy determined that Stokes died of blunt and sharp force trauma. “He attempted to seek refuge there and medical assistance, and he died there on the neighbor’s front porch,” CCSO spokesman Det. Jim Strovink said. “Investigators discovered they had what appeared to be a very violent crime scene. It appears the victim provided a very good struggle.” The crime scene, consisting of the two houses, was described as “large” and “bloody.” At around 8 a.m. Sunday, police questioned and then arrested Wendell Kenneth Tate, 38, of Northeast Portland, at his home. Tate was lodged with no bail in the Clackamas County Jail, initially on one count of murder. Later the charges were expanded to include one count of aggravated murder and one count of burglary as well. An aggravated murder conviction carries three possible sentences: life in prison with a 30-year minimum, life with no possibility of parole, or death by lethal injection. According to Strovink, police determined early on that there was a link between Stokes and Tate’s wife. “We have that triangular type of relationship that existed,” Strovink said. “Everyone is identified in that respect. We don’t have some violent stranger roaming through Wilsonville.” Authorities got a warrant and searched Tate’s home on 58th Avenue near Sandy Boulevard in Northeast Portland later Sunday morning. The investigation continues. Those with information pertaining to this crime may call the CCSO Tip Line, 503-723-4949. Tate was arraigned in Clackamas County Circuit Court on Monday afternoon via video link from the county jail. Tate spoke only to acknowledge his name. He was seen wearing a padded blue suicide-prevention smock, which is mandatory per jail policy for at least the 48 hours in custody when the inmate is facing serious charges such as murder, jail commander Capt. Don Howard said. Judge Jeffrey S. Jones presided over the one-minute hearing. He scheduled a preliminary hearing for May 7 and told Tate, “You will be held in custody without bail.” Daniel Woram, a court-appointed criminal defense attorney from Oregon City, is representing Tate.

Neighbors, family react

The Clackamas County Major Crimes Unit and the Oregon State Police Crime Lab remained on the scene Sunday morning and afternoon, conducting their investigation. Police from Canby and Portland assisted. The cul-de-sac was cordoned off with yellow crime scene tape. Neighbors were informed of the crime early Sunday morning. “The shock of the neighbors in this quiet community, it’s very disturbing to them,” Strovink said. The victim’s former wife, Cynthia Stokes, and their daughter visited the crime scene at midday Sunday. Cynthia Stokes didn’t speak then, but did talk to the media briefly following Tate’s arraignment. “It was an unfortunate event,” she said. “He was a loving father. By the grace of God go we. This is truly an opportunity to express more love out of an event that is tearful.” She said that she and Ricardo kept in touch and he saw their children regularly. “It (the couple’s split) was amicable for the most part,” she added. “He will be missed,” she said, “especially at those future events we would have had as a blended family. “Lots of people in the community have shown love to my children,” she added. Former Wilsonville resident Rick Noonan, who moved to Georgia four years ago, used to live next door to Stokes. They were friends and so were their children. Both families moved into the cul-de-sac when the homes were first built, back in 1996. They stayed in touch after the Noonans moved away. “He was just a very hard-working, disciplined guy who was very loving and very caring,” he said. “He had a pride of ownership around his house, and he was a good neighbor to have.” Noonan remembered working with Stokes on various projects around their yards. “He was naturally fit and very strong,” Noonan said. Bennett said he talked to Stokes twice on Saturday, less than a day before Stokes was killed. “He was out on the driveway with a friend of his,” he said. Noonan said it was shocking to realize that his friend is gone. “You just don’t think of these things happening to someone close to you,” he said. “It’s always someone else in a far away place.”

Prior murder cases

The murder was the second incident of homicidal violence in just over a year in Wilsonville. Last April, police found the bodies of Timmie O’Neil and Craig Stumpf in their Charbonneau residence. Joseph Ray O’Neil is in the Clackamas County Jail awaiting trail for their murders. Prior to that, one would have to go back 15 years for the last homicide in Wilsonville. Lisa Flormoe of Eugene was killed in a Charbonneau home by Todd Davilla, who was then a Canby High School student living nearby. Davilla is in the Clackamas County Jail awaiting a resentencing after serving the last 15 years in prison for the crime.

UPDATE: Services due Saturday for Ricardo Stokes

Story by: Curt Kipp

Date Published to Web: 5/4/2007

A memorial service for Ricardo C. Stokes will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 5, 2007 at Southlake Foursquare Church, 1555 S.W. Borland Road, West Linn.

Stokes, 55, died April 29 of homicidal violence near his home in Wilsonville.

The service was moved to a larger facility to accommodate an expected larger crowd. The Wilsonville High School choir -- which includes Stokes's son, Remington -- is scheduled to perform at the service.

Mr. Stokes was born Dec. 13, 1951 in New York City. He graduated from high school and worked in sales. He resided in Mt. Holly, N.J.; Spokane, Wash.; and Wilsonville.

Mr. Stokes is survived by his mother, Kathryne Stokes; by sister Charmaine Stokes and brother Russ Stokes Jr.; daughter Ricara Stokes and sons Remington and Ryan Stokes; and stepchildren Jason Lear, A.J. Lear, Alyxx Palo and Erynn Palo.

A memorial fund has been set up at Washington Mutual Bank for the Stokes children.

Cornwell Colonial Chapel of Wilsonville (503-682-1177) is in care of arrangements.

Obituaries - 5-9-07

Date Published to Web: 5/8/2007

Ricardo C. Stokes
A memorial service for Ricardo Clinton Stokes was held Saturday, May 5, 2007 at Southlake Foursquare Church, 1555 S.W. Borland Road, West Linn. Stokes, 55, died April 29 in Wilsonville. Mr. Stokes was born Dec. 13, 1951 in Harlem, New York City. He graduated from high school and worked in sales. He resided in Mt. Holly, N.J.; Spokane, Wash.; and Wilsonville. Mr. Stokes is survived by his mother, Kathryne Stokes; by sister Charmaine Stokes and brother Russ Stokes Jr.; daughter Ricara Stokes and sons Remington and Ryan Stokes; and stepchildren Jason Lear, A.J. Lear, Alyxx Palo and Erynn Palo. A memorial fund has been set up at Washington Mutual Bank for the Stokes children. Cornwell Colonial Chapel of Wilsonville (503-682-1177) is in care of arrangements.