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Awaiting attempted murder trial, Mark Gift now accused of trying to stab his grandson

By Stover E. Harger III

The South County Spotlight, Mar 3, 2010, Updated Mar 3, 2010 (7 Reader comments)

Mark H. Gift

Submitted photo / The South County Spotlight

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Mark H. Gift, the 72-year-old man accused of trying to run over and kill his son-in-law, was arrested last week while out on bail for reportedly trying to stab his grandson with a set of wire cutters.

Gift was taken into custody on Saturday after St. Helens Oregon State Police officers report the president of Scappoose’s Rock Fork Timber attempted to stab his 17-year-old relative — and son of the man Gift was accused of trying to kill on Oct. 19 — before getting in his truck and chasing down another 17-year-old boy.

Neither of the boys were reported harmed, and officers say the grandson was able to disarm Gift.

Oregon State Police Sgt. Larry Lucas wouldn’t release additional details at this time, but would say that Gift was arrested without incident. His release agreement was revoked.

Gift proclaimed his innocence on the attempted murder charge to The Spotlight in November (see Spotlight Nov. 18 issue, “Tased and confused”) saying he was roughed up by police and Tased unnecessarily after an argument with his son-in-law.

Gift now faces additional charges of second-degree attempted assault, menacing and violation of release agreement.

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Reader comments

Re: Awaiting attempted murder trial, Mark Gift now accused of trying to stab his grandson

Hopefully Mark's defense attorney has requested a phsycological evaluation. It's obvious to everyone who has ever known him there is a mental health issue here. Maybe he needs a different kind of care instead of jail.

""

(email verified)

Wed, Mar 03, 2010 at 08:27 PM

Re: Awaiting attempted murder trial, Mark Gift now accused of trying to stab his grandson

Maybe the Grandson and his delinquent buddy should become emancipated and quit causing trouble for the family. You want to act like a man, then man up and move out. One less trigger point for Mark Sr. to worry about. And YES to the mental exam. The man is not well and it is sad to see.

"This isn't going to end well unless he gets help, folks........."

(email verified)

Wed, Mar 03, 2010 at 09:26 PM

Re: Awaiting attempted murder trial, Mark Gift now accused of trying to stab his grandson

I've known Mark for 28 years and I know this is not Mark Gift. There are definately some mental health evaluations that need to occur. Not only on him, but also on his son-in-law, daughter, and grandson, whom has been expelled from school last year for diciplinary reasons. As for his daughter, who is married to the man he reportedly attempted to murder, she has had personal restraint issues herself in years past and I am sure that there are more things involved here than what the papers are reporting.

"family friend"

(email verified)

Fri, Mar 05, 2010 at 03:52 PM

Re: Awaiting attempted murder trial, Mark Gift now accused of trying to stab his grandson

I hope this man is put in prison for the rest of his life.

"."

(email verified)

Sun, Mar 07, 2010 at 07:15 PM

Re: Awaiting attempted murder trial, Mark Gift now accused of trying to stab his grandson

Im thinking a neuro-psych eval is in order asap...this guy looks confused and not all there ...jsut from what his friends and relatives are saying...I dont suppose the cops have thought that this could be a man with a brain disorder.....that is not brain surgery, but probably above the IQ capacity and off the empathy scale of MCSO...

"Klaatu"

(email verified)

Tue, Mar 09, 2010 at 08:15 AM

Re: Awaiting attempted murder trial, Mark Gift now accused of trying to stab his grandson

Klaatu,

DUDE...you hate PPB. WE GET IT. This is COLUMBIA COUNTY. You know, St. Helens, Scappoose, Vernonia...banjos, rednecks, bedroom community of Portland....2 Deputy Sheriffs on duty 2PM to 2AM...couple OSP Troopers...all of which happen to know Mr. Gift, all of which probably agree there is a mental issue, but they have a job to do, and they've done it. Its up to Mr. Gift's family OR his defense attorney, if he so chooses to listen to one, or maybe a Judge to order a psych eval. He's had that scary look for a long time now, and he's not all there.

Again, this isn't MCSO nor PPB. Its everything but that.

This was a good man who is now ill. And...he has a PITA grandson needing to spend some time in the same jail. Just wait, he'll be there too only he isn't sick.

"Hope Mark Sr gets better....."

(email verified)

Tue, Mar 09, 2010 at 09:27 PM

Re: Awaiting attempted murder trial, Mark Gift now accused of trying to stab his grandson

Mark is a good guy but at the same time I grew up hearing how he could solve the worlds problems when he was always fighting to just stay afloat himself. In years past I would have said there is no way Mark did this, but the last time I talked to him, he freaked even me out. There is an illness there, something that is not right. It should be found but restraining him is probably safest right now.