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OREGON CITY, Or. -- A Scappoose man who broke into his ex-girlfriend’s house and beat her with a hammer was sentenced to 18 years in prison on Tuesday, July 29.
A Clackamas County jury deliberated less than an hour before finding Steven Michael Hir guilty of Assault in the First, Second and Fourth Degree, Burglary in the First Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon. Strangulation, Menacing, Stalking and Harassment.
Hir, 42, and the victim, 48, met via a dating app. They dated intermittently before breaking up.
On Feb. 16, 2025, Hir arrived uninvited at the victim’s Wilsonville apartment. After an argument, he strangled and punched her, causing a concussion. The victim said she was in a total daze. She sought medical treatment the next day, then reported the assault to law enforcement.
On Feb. 28, 2025, Hir broke into the victim’s apartment through the back door. He took a hammer from her toolbox and struck her approximately 30 times in the face, head, and body, causing devastating injuries. She spent a week in the hospital.
“It’s truly a miracle she is alive today,” said Deputy District Attorney Rachel Erickson, who prosecuted the case with Deputy District Attorney Aisha Amiri.
Hir had dismissed his three court-appointed attorneys and represented himself at trial. Hir did not want a legal advisor to assist him during the trial. He also wanted to remain in his jail uniform even though civilian clothing was made available to him.
Evidence introduced at trial included an extensive number of texts and emails from Hir graphically threatening the victim.
Hir was convicted in 2021 in Clark County, Washington of Arson in the First Degree, Cyberstalking and two counts of Disclosing Intimate Images (of another person). The crimes were all related to a domestic violence incident.
Clackamas County Circuit Court case 25CR12316
