Andrea Calcagno & Associated Press
 
July 1, 2009
 
WOODBURN, Ore. -- A 22-year-old Coos Bay man faces attempted murder and assault charges for allegedly cutting the throat of an auctioneer in Woodburn with a boxcutter Tuesday.
 
Jeremiah D. Thomasson was arraigned Wednesday in Marion County court. Along with attempted murder, he faces charges of first-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon and four counts of menacing. He is being held without bail.
 
"I thought he was just going to beat me up or something, but he pulled my head back and cut my throat," Auctioneer Chuck Boyce said.
 
50 year-old Boyce was released from a Portland hospital today with several staples across the six-inch gash on his neck.
 
"I turned around and looked this way and then looked back this way, and the next thing I know he's up there, and he said something to me just before he grabbed my head," Boyce said.
 
One man claims he ran after Thomasson when he left the building and caught up to him.
 
"He (the suspect) was really tired at that time (referring to when he finally caught up with the suspect) and he told me that if I didn't get away from him he was going to cut me," Witness Mike Melbye said.
 
Thomasson has a history of violent behavior in Southern Oregon. Since 2004 Thomasson has been charged with criminal mischief, menacing, robbery, auto theft, and multiple counts of assault. Those include, in December 2007, an assault conviction for attacking a man at Fly Casters RV Park in Shady Cove.
 
"They were trying to drive through the driveway of the RV park, and Mr. Thomasson, and I believe another man, were blocking the area. They asked them to get out of the way. The men blocking the road became very angry and just came over to the car and starting beating the man," Denney said.
 
Marion County Sheriff's Lt. Sheila Lorance says investigators have not talked to Thomasson about what might have motivated the attack. He invoked his Miranda right to silence after being arrested at a nearby trailer park.