A former college soccer player from New Jersey, Koryn Kraemer, was sentenced to over three years in prison for a horrific attack on an elderly man at a train platform in Oregon. The incident took place at the Cleveland Avenue MAX station in Portland in the early hours of January 3, 2023. Kraemer, who believed the victim to be a killer robot, chewed off the man’s ear and face during the attack.
Both the defense and prosecution attributed the violent outburst to Kraemer’s schizophrenia, for which he is now receiving treatment. Kraemer expressed remorse for his actions during his sentencing, acknowledging that proper medication can help manage his illness and prevent future violent incidents.
The 27-year-old former athlete was under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, and fentanyl at the time of the attack. He had bitten off the victim’s ear and face to the point of exposing his skull before police intervened. The victim, who was hospitalized in stable condition, has since passed away from unrelated causes.
Kraemer was deemed mentally unfit to stand trial following his arrest and spent four months in the Oregon State Hospital receiving treatment for schizophrenia. He hails from Westfield, New Jersey, and had attended Oberlin College in Ohio, where he played as a goalkeeper on the men’s soccer team.
Despite previous arrests in Georgia, Kraemer’s attorney stated that he is remorseful for his actions and plans to return to New Jersey to live with family after serving his sentence. Initially charged with felony assault, Kraemer pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted assault as part of a plea deal with prosecutors.
He was sentenced to 40 months in prison with the possibility of early release for good behavior. Following his release, Kraemer will be under supervision for nearly two years. The incident serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of mental health treatment and support for individuals struggling with severe mental illnesses.
