A Camas man was arraigned Friday in the shooting of his brother and separate beating of his former girlfriend.
Justin Matthew Gibson, 36, entered not-guilty pleas in Clark County Superior Court to felony harassment-death threats, two counts of first-degree domestic violence assault and one count of second-degree domestic violence assault. Some of the charges include firearm and deadly weapon enhancements.
His trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 3.
Gibson is accused of beating his former girlfriend with a baseball bat and threatening to kill her Aug. 6 at 1732 N.W. Sixth Court in Camas.
The 40-year-old Portland woman fled to a neighbor’s house before losing consciousness and being taken to a local hospital, according to a probable cause affidavit.
During the investigation, police discovered evidence that Gibson had beaten and shot his younger brother, Joseph Levi Gibson, the day before, the affidavit states. Joseph Gibson reportedly suffered multiple broken bones, including a broken femur; significant bruising; internal injuries; burns; and a gunshot wound to the leg.
Justin Gibson told police he attacked the two because he believes they were conspiring with another roommate to have him charged with fraud and were trying to poison him to collect on a life insurance policy, according to court documents. He said his brother admitted to putting laundry detergent with bleach in his eggs, court records said.
The Gibson brothers were being sought in connection with another man’s alleged scheme to fake his own kidnapping and extort money from his mother, according to the Camas Police Department.
