HILLSBORO Ore. (KPTV) - A hearing for the alleged killer of Beaverton nurse Melissa Jubane drew crowds to the Washington County Courthouse Monday.
Jubane was found murdered last September. Her neighbor, Bryce Schubert, was arrested.
Schubert's status appearance was brief, but advocates for Jubane who rallied outside the courthouse afterwards said they're there for the long haul.
Melissa Jubane was a nurse, a newlywed, and means something to each advocate who came to court.
Members of Gabriela Portland, a Filipino women's organization, say they're at Washington County Court because Jubane's murder represents the experience of too many women.
"Why we want justice for Melissa- we see ourselves in her and we want systemic change so that women no longer experience this type of violence," said Gabriela chairperson Mak Durias.
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Police said her remains were found days after she was reported missing by her Providence St. Vincent's coworkers in September.
Jubane had been married for just two weeks.
Her Beaverton neighbor, 28-year-old Bryce Schubert, stands accused of her murder. He appeared virtually Monday, facing charges of first degree murder, kidnapping, and second degree abuse of a corpse, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
At the status hearing, lawyers said they are still in the process of investigating and constructing a case.
Meanwhile, outside, many who didn't know Melissa say they're moved by her story, and felt compelled to share their own. They plan to rally at each court hearing, they say, for justice.
"It's being able to live in a society that no longer accepts, normalizes, or tolerates what happened to her," Durias said. "Women are getting organized because of Melissa's story. I see myself in her and I will continue to fight for her every single time."