An Amboy man was sentenced Wednesday to a year in the Clark County Jail for pulling a gun on a man who was serving him with legal papers and firing the weapon.
Jason R. Baird, 34, pleaded guilty in Clark County Superior Court to second-degree assault in connection with the Feb. 16, 2014, incident. He initially faced first-degree assault.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed in Superior Court, when the victim, Steven Peterson, served Baird with the legal papers at his residence in the 25000 block of Northeast Fern Drive, Baird confronted him with a .22-caliber pistol. He fired the weapon at least three times.
Deputy Prosecutor James Smith said it is unclear if the gun was fired at Peterson or into the ground.
Clark County District Court records show that Columbia Collectors Inc. filed a small claims suit against Baird and his wife on Feb. 12, 2014, related to a medical debt. The collection company asked for a payment totaling nearly $1,419, plus interest, to be divided among Columbia Anesthesia Group, The Vancouver Clinic, Rebound & Neurosurgical Specialists, registered nurse Julie Blomdahl and Southwest Washington Regional Surgery, according to Columbian archives.
During the hearing, Baird’s defense attorney, Bob Yoseph, said his client had overreacted due to the stress from his health issues. Baird said he has mental health and knee problems.
“I’d love to say to Mr. Peterson that I’m so sorry for what happened that day,” Baird told Judge Derek Vanderwood.
He said he “knew something was very wrong with me in that moment” because he couldn’t control his anger.
Since the incident, Baird said he has talked to his doctor about his mental health concerns and has been addressing the problem with medication.
Vanderwood commended him for getting help but said “it doesn’t resolve what happened.” He ordered Baird serve a year in custody.
Baird then requested he remain out of custody until after he undergoes knee surgery July 7. Vanderwood denied the request, and Baird was taken into custody following the hearing.
