Man accused of killing prominent Portland public defender in 2009 appears in court

The suspect in the 2009 murder of a Portland defense attorney made his first court appearance on Tuesday.

Christopher Alexander Williamson, 28, is being charged with the murder of Nancy Bergeson.

The case started on November 24, 2009 when Bergeson was found dead in her home on Southwest Hamilton Street in Portland. Officials ruled she died of homicidal violence; however, they had little information about the circumstances that led up to Bergeson's death.

Her family says the arrest of Williamson has given them hope for justice for the first time in almost a decade.

Williamson waived his right to a probable cause hearing, so there is no probable cause affidavit.

Williamson had been arrested for fourth-degree assault, domestic violence, in 2015 in an incident involving his father. That charge was eventually dropped.

At the time, Williamson told jail staff that he had been diagnose with mental health issues including bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety.

But when asked for details about that diagnosis, Williamson told jail staff he had "no clue when they diagnosed me."

Williamson's next court appearance is scheduled for January 30.

The investigation remains open; anyone with helpful information is asked to call homicide detectives at (503) 823-0479.