Beachy Stout and Accomplice Sentenced to Life for Wife’s Brutal Murder

Portland businessman Everton “Beachy Stout” McDonald and Oscar Barnes, the man convicted of murdering McDonald’s wife, were both sentenced to life in prison today. The two men will have to serve 28 years and 11 months before becoming eligible for parole.

In addition to the life sentences, McDonald, 70, was handed a further four years and six months for conspiracy, while Barnes, a 33-year-old tiler, received six years and six months for his involvement in the conspiracy to commit murder. The sentences were delivered by Justice Chester Stamp, following the men’s conviction in March for the brutal killing of McDonald’s wife, Tonia McDonald.

The 32-year-old woman’s partially burnt body, bearing nine stab wounds and a slashed throat, was discovered on a deserted road in Sherwood Forest, Portland, in July 2020.

A contract killer, Denvalyn Minott, who is currently serving a 19-year sentence for his role in the murder, testified that McDonald had hired him to kill his wife for $3 million. Minott, however, passed the task to Barnes after four failed attempts to carry out the murder. Eventually, under the false pretense that he had acquired two guns she was seeking to buy, Minott lured Tonia McDonald to the remote area where she was murdered.

The court heard testimony that Tonia McDonald was attempting to purchase a firearm to avenge her father’s death. It was her husband who introduced her to Minott under the guise of helping her secure the weapon. Both McDonald and Barnes have maintained their innocence and denied any involvement in the murder or conspiracy.

McDonald was represented by a team of attorneys, including Christopher Townsend, Courtney Rowe, John Jacobs, Earl Hamilton, and his son, Jon-Paul Hamilton. Barnes was defended by attorneys Ernest Davis and Vincent Wellesley.