Affidavit says video shows hot tub death

By Sam Bennett

The Lake Oswego Review, Feb 11, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (18 Reader comments)

Michael David Hessemer

Clackamas County Sheriff's Office / Lake Oswego Review

A surveillance camera caught Michael Hessemer of Lake Oswego hitting Frederick Stephens III in a Mountain Park hot tub, and then watching as Stephens drowned, according to a police affidavit.

Hessemer “made no attempt to save Mr. Stephens,” said Lake Oswego Police Detective Anthony Sparling in an affidavit on file with Clackamas County Circuit Court, describing what he had seen in the surveillance video above the hot tub. “Hessemer sat back down in the hot tub while Stephens was struggling to stay above the water.”

The hot tub jets were turned off and bubbles emerged from Stephens’ body, the affidavit indicated.

The alleged murder took place at the pool/hot tub area of the apartment complex One Jefferson Parkway. The two men were alone when the incident occurred.

Hessemer, 23, was indicted Monday on the charge of murder in Clackamas County Circuit Court.

He was originally charged with manslaughter, but the grand jury elevated the charge. Hessemer pleaded not guilty Monday and an April 1 trial date was set. He is being held in Clackamas County Jail without bail.

The video showing Hessemer’s actions seems to contradict his account of what happened late that Saturday night and early Sunday morning.

Hessemer told police that he and Stephens were in the hot tub and Hessemer briefly fell asleep. He said he woke up to find Stephens at the bottom of the hot tub, and he attempted to revive him.

Hessemer was crying at the time he gave police this account, according to the affidavit. His hair was still wet and he had on his swim trunks.

“He could not believe this happened and didn’t know what he was going to say to Stephens’ parents,” the affidavit said.

The affidavit noted Hessemer was intoxicated and had scrapes on the back of his left hand, which was purple and swollen.

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