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MadeaBecBec

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MichaelScottBighauskilledhismomonch.jpg

Michael Scott Bighaus,41, Sandy,Oregon
Michael S. Bighaus, 41, is accused of killing his mother, Vivian F. Bighaus, 66, in the family home, 56560 E. Fernwood Circle, in a heavily wooded area about eight miles east of Sandy.

The suspect’s father, Phillip Bighaus, 67, was present at the time of the afternoon shooting, Friday, Dec. 25, and was reported very emotional while he placed a 9-1-1 call. He told authorities his son left the home immediately after the shooting, taking the rifle with him.

Bighaus was the subject of an intensive search Friday afternoon and evening. Clackamas County Sheriff's personnel responded in force to secure a wide perimeter around the crime scene. Because the suspect was reported to have fled with a large caliber rifle, all lanes of travel were closed until about midnight along a portion of Highway 26, with a detour established along Marmot Road.
The suspect’s father lived at the family home with his wife of 44 years. The couple was scheduled to leave soon on a cruise.

The suspect’s father told sheriff’s investigators his wife was employed as a “very skilled and kind nurse practitioner.â€￾

The suspect is well-known to the Clackamas County Corrections officials. He has an existing (no bail) misdemeanor arrest warrant for absconding. He also has prior arrests for driving under the influence, burglary and criminal mischief.

http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=126180845283535200
Horrible! Vivian and Philip, preparing to leave (on a long awaited cruise, I'm sure) and their son does this, seems Christmas brings out the worst in deranged people!
Bighaus was taken into custody at about 5:50 a.m. when he returned to the house on East Fernwood Circle where, just about 12 hours earlier, he was accused of shooting his mother with a large-caliber rifle.

Bighaus was taken to the Clackamas County Jail and charged with murder.

The shooting victim, 66-year-old Vivian Faye Bighaus, died at the house, 56560 E. Fernwood Circle, Christmas Day. Her husband, Philip Bighaus, 67, was there with their son, Michael, celebrating the holiday.

http://www.oregonherald.com/oregon/a/20091226a.htm
Such a shame!
 
Vivian Bighaus

bighaus-vivian.jpg

Vivian Bighaus,66
Christmas had always been Vivian Bighaus' favorite holiday, according to friends and family.

Neighbor Shelley Hadanson has known the family more than 30 years. She reflected on their friendship while holding a Christmas ornament that Vivian Bighaus had made for her last year.

"The Bighaus' were so supportive of Mike. I know he had mental issues and over the years they have really tried to help him, they really tried hard," said Hadanson
"He's had severe problems for a long time, " said close family friend Becky Hawley. "This summer Vivian told me she felt like she had gone as far as she could go with Mike. She didn't think she could have him living there or be responsible for him anymore."
http://www.king5.com/news/local/Ore...spects-arrest-at-shooting-scene-80139772.html

Rest Peacefully, Vivian!
 
Court rules Bighaus insane, sentences him to 25 years to life in psychiatric facility

[QUOTE]Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Bighaus was scheduled to appear for trial Feb. 1 [2011], but a report from the state hospital with a definite diagnosis of mental illness triggered the earlier appearance, according to Dave Paul, prosecuting deputy district attorney for Clackamas County.

Bighaus shot his mother, Vivian Bighaus, 66, in the head with a high-power hunting rifle Christmas Day 2009 while his father, Phillip, was present in the family home on Fernwood Circle, east of Sandy.

Bighaus was recently evaluated at the state mental hospital and found to have a mental disease or defect.

There was no question about certain facts in the case. Paul said both he and the defense attorney agreed on certain facts, and Judge Steele took those facts into account in her findings.

'Those facts,' Paul said, 'basically were the elements necessary to prove the crime. After reviewing all of those facts, (Steele) found that 1) he suffers from a mental disease that was active at the time he committed the crime, and 2) criminal law allows a finding of guilty, except for insanity.'

Because Bighaus was found unable to defend himself at trial, Steele pronounced the sentence of at least 25 years in a state psychiatric facility under the supervision of the Psychiatric Security Review Board.

'The court found that, but for the mental disease or defect, he would have been found guilty of the crime of murder with a firearm,' Paul said.

'Since he's a danger to society, Mr. Bighaus will be kept in a secure facility.'

The Psychiatric Security Review Board supervises people found guilty of crimes while they suffered with a mental disease or defect, and Paul said the board decides where Bighaus will be lodged.

His court-appointed attorney, Jack Bernstein of Milwaukie, filed notice with the court soon after the arraignment in early 2010 he intended in trial to 'rely on the defense of mental disease or defect and/or partial or diminished responsibility.'

Over the past year, Bighaus has been subjected to a series of psychiatric evaluations, passing one and failing the others. He also was treated for his disease for nearly three months last spring and summer.

He has been in custody continuously since Dec. 26, 2009, the day after he shot his mother.

http://portlandtribune.com/component/content/article?id=877
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