Clark County Judge Gregory Gonzalez set bail at $5 million for a man accused of fatally shooting his wife in their Five Corners home earlier this week.
Todd Richard Marjama, Jr., 27, made his first court appearance Thursday on a charge of first-degree domestic violence murder with a deadly weapon. He also faces a charge of first-degree domestic violence assault with a deadly weapon — that victim is listed as a 1-year-old child, according to court records.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Luka Vitasovic argued for the high bail amount, saying that Marjama had previously made threats to hurt his wife and children and said if released there is a concern he will follow through.
“He made good on one of those threats, that’s why we’re here today,” Vitasovic said during Thursday’s hearing.
Deputies were called to a reported weapons disturbance around 8:45 p.m. Tuesday at the couple’s home, 7312 N.E. 109th Ave., the Clark County Sheriff’s Office said. Once they arrived, they found Todd Marjama’s wife, Amanda Marjama, dead from an apparent gunshot wound, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Clark County Superior Court.
The Marjamas lived at the residence with their three children — ages 1, 4 and 7 — court documents said, along with Amanda Marjama’s adult brother. The three children were home at the time of the shooting.
That night, Amanda Marjama’s brother heard what sounded like a gunshot from the master bedroom. The brother went to the master bedroom and found Todd Marjama sitting on the edge of a bed and holding a revolver, according to the affidavit. Todd Marjama’s left hand appeared to be injured, and the brother, thinking Marjama had shot himself, locked the weapon in a gun safe. Another relative entered the room, and they decided to take Todd Marjama to the hospital, the brother later told police.
According to court records, Marjama and the brother were sitting in the brother’s pickup when the other relative came running from the home, yelling that Todd Marjama had shot Amanda Marjama.
Family members said they found Amanda Marjama dead in the master bedroom’s bathroom, according to the affidavit. Todd Marjama fled the scene, the sheriff’s office said. Police caught up with him a few blocks away, near a home on Northeast 107th Ave. The sheriff’s office said Todd Marjama was arrested without further incident.
Another family member told officers that Todd Marjama had in the past made threats to kill his wife and children. The family tried to persuade Amanda Marjama to get a restraining order against him, court documents said.
Family members told officers that Todd and Amanda Marjama had been fighting for weeks over an apparent affair that Todd Marjama had. Todd Marjama also reportedly told a relative that his wife had been corresponding with a male friend over the internet, the affidavit states.
In Thursday’s court proceedings, Gonzalez found probable cause for the charges and explained to Marjama his rights.
Marjama, wearing a suicide smock, repeatedly answered “yes sir” and kept his head down. Vancouver defense attorney Jeffrey Barrar was appointed to represent Marjama.
His next court appearance was scheduled for July 14.
According to Marjama’s booking information, he told officials that he has been working for Waste Management for 18 months and is on disability in connection with his military service. He was honorably discharged in 2014 after serving two tours in Afghanistan. Marjama also said he’s on a waiting list with Veterans Affairs for treatment of a traumatic brain injury.
Marjama does not have a prior criminal history in Washington or Oregon, according to court records.
Elizabeth Lewis, Amanda Marjama’s cousin, said that her three children are staying with Lewis’ aunt.
Lewis started a Gofundme account online to help her aunt care for the child and to pay for a funeral service. Those interested in donating can do so at www.gofundme.com/2c2bdvgf.
“The babies didn’t deserve to lose their mother,” Lewis said. “It’s very unfair.”
Lewis said that she and her family are coming together to help with the children. She described her cousin as a selfless person who lent a hand and never asked for anything in return.
“Amanda was the type of person to give her shirt off her back if anyone needed it,” she said. “She was just a very loving person and she didn’t deserve what happened to her.”
Staff Writer Jessica Prokop contributed to this story.
