Rod Underhill, District Attorney

1021 SW Fourth Avenue, Room 600

Portland, OR 97204-1193
Phone: 503-988-3162 Fax: 503-988-3643
www.mcda.us

Media Release
Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announces the creation a new position within the office designed
to further ensure the integrity of the prosecution function, convictions and the post-conviction process. Deputy District
Attorney J. Russell Ratto will be appointed to the newly created position on October 27, 2014.
The Post-Conviction DDA will seek to reinforce confidence in the prosecution function, ensure that wrongful
convictions do not occur and that post-conviction matters are appropriately administered. The Post-Conviction DDA will be
responsible for review and coordination of the response to all legitimate claims of actual innocence pursuant to ORS 138.690
(post-conviction motion for DNA).
In addition to claims of actual innocence the Post-Conviction DDA will also review other claims of innocence, act as a
liaison with the Oregon Attorney Generals Office regarding petitions for post-conviction relief, represent (or coordinate the
representation of) the District Attorney in cases before the Oregon Board of Parole and the Psychiatric Security Review
Board, and maintain office policies and protocols developed to prevent wrongful convictions from occurring and to ensure
the proper administration of justice.
In coordination with the Chief Deputy of Division Three (Chief DDA Don Rees) the Post-Conviction DDA will maintain
and update Multnomah County District Attorney policies, protocols, and materials related to:

Discovery obligations

Eyewitness identification

Ethics and professionalism

Confidential informants

Proffers and cooperation agreements

File closing protocols

Jail call protocols

DDA J. Russell (Russ) Rattos 35 year career, all with the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office, made the
decision to appoint him to be the first Post-Conviction DDA quite easy. DDA Ratto graduated from Linfield College in

McMinnville, Oregon, in 1976. One year of his college career was spent studying at Warnborough College, in Oxford, England.
Russ graduated from Willamette Law School in 1979 and began working as a Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney in
November, 1979.
DDA Ratto has worked in the Support Enforcement Division, Unit A (property crimes), Unit B (drug and vice crimes),
Unit D (violent and sexual crimes), and at the Regional Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force (ROCN). During his time
with ROCN, DDA Ratto was cross-designated as a Special Assistant United States Attorney. He has held that designation for
nearly 15 years. As a Special AUSA, DDA Ratto handled complex federal narcotics cases involving multi-state conspiracies,
prosecuted many federal jury trials, and successfully argued cases in front of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
In recent years, in addition to handling a full load of felony drug and violent/sexual assault cases, DDA Ratto has
distinguished himself as an expert in the law pertaining to, and the complex procedures of, the Oregon Board of Parole
including the successful resolution of the case of State of Oregon v. Richard Gillmore (aka The Jogger Rapist).
DDA Ratto is widely respected by fellow prosecutors, members of the defense bar, crime victims and judges. To this
new position, he brings integrity, experience, and dedication.