HILLSBORO, Ore. (KOIN) — When Shaun Maki called 911 on March 2, he said his father seriously injured himself at the home they shared.
But Melvin Maki’s wounds weren’t consistent with self-inflicted injuries.
Investigators determined Melvin, 78, had been beaten with a wooden shovel handle and that Shaun waited “a substantial time” before calling for help.
Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeff Talbot told KOIN 6 News Melvin Maki had been beaten “brutally, (hit) multiple times with the handle of a shovel,” and that Shaun “waited several hours to call.”
Talbot said investigators believe Melvin was critically injured “for a very extended, long period of time throughout the day.”
That night, the 53-year-old son was arrested for attempted murder and taken to the Washington County Jail. He’s been in custody since then.
When Melvin died on June 4, the case was presented to a grand jury and Shaun was indicted for murder.
“This is a complex case,” Talbot said. “We’re looking into multiple motives. We’re still trying to figure out what the motive was.”
Court documents obtained by KOIN 6 News allege Shaun Maki intentionally caused his dad’s death around March 1 or March 2 at the home in the 7200 block of Northwest 185th Avenue.
Melvin Maki was beaten in the head, both arms, both hands and his left leg. Prosecutors believe the wooden shovel handle was the weapon used in the attack.
Shaun Maki made his first court appearance on the new charges Thursday afternoon in Washington County. He’s charged with murder, 4 counts of assault, 2 counts of criminal mistreatment and unlawful use of a weapon. He’s scheduled to be back in court on July 31.
About Melvin
His obituary said Melvin Maki was born in Astoria in 1940. He graduated from Astoria High School in 1958 and went on to earn a bachelor degree from the University of Oregon and a Master’s from PSU. He worked with the US Army Corps of Engineers and surveyed ocean floors for NOAA.