Marion County Jail in Salem (Oregon State Archives).
An Oregon man is headed to prison for more than two decades after he stabbed his wife while out on bond for strangling her during a previous domestic violence incident.
Mark Fox, 54, was sentenced to 20 years and one month behind bars after pleading guilty to numerous charges including second-degree attempted murder, first-degree aggravated assault and aggravated animal abuse, the Marion County District Attorney”s Office said in a press release obtained by Law&Crime.
On Oct. 9, 2023, the victim messaged a friend about her concerns over her estranged husband’s drunken and escalating behavior. The friend contacted the Marion County Sheriff’s Office on her behalf and when cops showed up at her door they found her “visibly trembling.” She also was suffering from bruises throughout her body.
“She described being held so tightly by the defendant that her ability to breathe was blocked,” prosecutors wrote.
Love true crime? Sign up for our newsletter, The Law&Crime Docket, to get the latest real-life crime stories delivered right to your inbox.
Fox was arrested on various domestic violence-related crimes including strangulation, assault and unlawful use of a weapon interfering with making a report. The state requested bond be set at $25,000 but a judge instead released him with a “no contact” order. The victim also obtained a restraining order.
But nearly a month later, on Nov. 8, 2023, Fox again attacked his wife. Deputies again responded to the home, and this time they found her in the driveway with several stab wounds throughout her body. The victim told cops she was talking on the phone when Fox burst into the home and went after her, claiming that he wasn’t going to prison.
“Victim’s mother heard the confrontation over the phone, and she called 911 after hearing her daughter yell ‘Stop! Stop!’ while defendant’s voice could be heard saying ‘Why did you do this to me?'” prosecutors wrote.
The defendant came prepared to inflict major harm. He had duct tape, zip ties and a hunting knife, using the items to restrain the victim. Once she was tied down. Fox said he was going to slice off the victim’s ear. The two were tussling on the ground when Fox heard police sirens and ran away.
Cops later found Fox suffering from numerous self-inflicted stab wounds. Inside the home, deputies found the victim’s dog stabbed. The dog was rushed to a veterinarian but later died.
According to the Salem Reporter, Fox owned a construction company at the time of his arrest.
