07/13/2025
PORTLAND, Ore. — Supporters of an Oregon wildland firefighter are asking the governor to release him from prison after he was convicted of assault in what they claim was an act of self-defense during a racially motivated attack.
Brian "Hakiym" Simpson, 42, is serving 70 months — almost six years — at Snake River Correctional Institution after a jury convicted him of second-degree assault. His attorney claimed it was self-defense after a coworker called Simpson a racial slur and threw the first punch.
"I do not deserve to be here for defending myself," Simpson said in a phone interview from prison. "This is a constitutional issue of, you have the right to defend yourself if you are being attacked, and that is what I did."
The confrontation occurred in June 2024 in southern Oregon while a Grayback Forestry crew was staying in firefighting housing near Grants Pass during an off day.
According to trial transcripts, around midnight, fellow firefighter Brandon Olson woke up and confronted coworkers, including Simpson, telling them to quiet down.
When Simpson responded, he claimed Olson — who is white — told him, "Pull your f***in' pants up, n*****."
Olson threw the first punch, a fact that Simpson's defense attorney, Eric Fournier, emphasized.
"He admitted at trial that he threw the first punch at Hakiym, no ifs, ands or buts about it," Fournier said. "My opinion is, I don't think it was a crime because I think he was acting in self-defense."
In trial transcripts, Simpson admits he punched Olson back. The two tussled, and when Olson got up and came back, Simpson said he hit him a few more times and kicked him, according to trial transcripts.
Other firefighters broke up the fight. Olson pursued Simpson as he drove away, according to trial testimony. Olson claimed he went after Simpson’s car to get the license plate number and make and model.
In August 2024, an all-white jury in Josephine County found Simpson guilty of assault in the second degree. A judge sentenced him to 70 months in prison, noting the severity of the victim's injuries and Simpson's two prior felony assault convictions.
In an email to KGW, Josephine County District Attorney Joshua Eastman explained that Simpson’s attorney at trial was very experienced, the self-defense case was presented, and a jury nevertheless found Simpson guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
"Our position both before and at trial, is that the first hit was likely justified (or at least could be),” Eastman wrote. “But the repeated kicks/stomps to the face/head area were not. The victim had several facial fractures and needed surgery."
At trial, Olson denied using the N-word, but another witness testified that he did use the racial slur.
"Where I'm from, we call a spade a spade. The N-word is a n***** and when you start throwing that term around, the only intent unless you're singing one of these hip-hop songs is meant to demean, disrespect, humiliate," said Glendora Claybrooks, president of the National Action Network's Oregon chapter. "It is a racial slur."
Claybrooks argues that the case deserves greater scrutiny. “I think that a jury of our peers does not mean that they should be all white,” said Claybrooks.
Community members, fellow firefighters and Simpson's family have written letters and submitted a petition with more than 3,000 signatures asking Oregon Governor Tina Kotek to take a closer look at the case and grant clemency.
The alleged victim, Olson, is suing Grayback Forestry for $1.8 million, claiming they never should have hired Simpson. In October, Olson was charged with stalking in an unrelated case. Olson declined to comment.
Olson’s civil lawyer submitted a letter to the governor objecting to Simpson’s exoneration. In the letter, Portland attorney Kevin Brague wrote trial testimony showed it “was not a racially motivated attack, that Simpson was overly violent, and that he clearly and severely stomped on Mr. Olson’s head multiple times.”
Supporters claim Simpson is being criminalized for being the victim of a hate-fueled attack. Simpson is appealing against his conviction but hopes the governor will step in because an appeal could take years.
"Once this is done, I want to get back out there and continue to fight fire and do the best I can to be the best firefighter I can and the best person I can, for the community," Simpson said. KGW8 NEWS
Sign Petition: https://baseoregon.org/justice-for-hakiym
