Suspect in Woodburn Auction Throat Slitting Incident Convicted

Attempted Murder plea in State v. Thomasson‏.

Auctioneer Chuck Boyce was attacked by Jeremiah Thomasson at the Woodburn Auction 16 June 2009.

(SALEM, Ore.) - On June 22, 2010, Jeremiah David Thomasson pleaded no contest in Marion County Circuit Court to an eleven count indictment charging one count of Attempted Murder, one count Assault in the First Degree, five counts Unlawful Use of a Weapon and four counts of Menacing.

Marion County Prosecutor Jodie Bureta, says these charges resulted from an incident on June 16, 2009, at Woodburn Auction where Thomasson slit the throat of an auctioneer, ran from the scene and subsequently brandished a weapon at four pursuers. Thomasson then jumped a fence and hid himself in a nearby trailer park. He was located a few hours later once the Marion County Sheriff's Office, Salem Police and Woodburn Police set up a perimeter. Detective Mathieu LaCrosse of the Marion County Sheriff's Office supervised the investigation.

A no contest plea has the same effect as a guilty plea but a defendant does not admit guilt; rather, he does not dispute the evidence against him. It was accepted by the court because at the time of the incident all parties agree that Thomasson was under the influence of methamphetamine, which made him incapable of giving an accurate recitation of facts to the court. Therefore, the state provided a factual basis for the plea.

Thomasson's sentencing is set for 1:30 p.m. on June 28, 2010, before the Honorable Jamese L. Rhoades, Presiding. Questions regarding this press release can be directed to Deputy District Attorney Jodie Bureta or Deputy District Attorney Brendan Murphy at the Marion County District Attorney's Office.

Source: Marion County District Attorney news release