Bend man accused of fatally assaulting his mother had been arrested 18 times by Bend Police since 2006
Previously convicted of assault for hitting his mother Janice in the head with a rock
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A Bend man accused of killing his mother on Wednesday at the northeast Bend apartment they shared for at least three years had a lengthy criminal history dating back to 2006, according to state court files and information from Bend Police.
Of the 18 times Joshua Lawrence Smith was arrested by Bend Police, his convictions included theft, resisting arrest, and a July 23, 2018 assault in which he hit his mother, Janice Smith, in the head with a rock.
Neighbors say Joshua Smith has had a history of schizophrenia and drug addiction.
The 2018 arrest wasn't the first time Bend Police responded to an altercation involving the son and his mother, the records show.
NewsChannel21 has learned from a records listing that seven years earlier, in 2011, Smith was arrested for menacing and disorderly conduct, but no formal charges were filed. His mother was listed as the victim. A search of state court files after that arrest show Smith was never charged in that case.
Joshua Smith also had schizophrenia and a history of being addicted to drugs, according to neighbors of three years and court records. Neighbors said his mother had repeatedly tried getting him help. Over the course of his previous court appearances, Smith was ordered to go through drug addiction programs.
Neighbors said when he wasn't high on drugs, Smith was quiet and reserved.
One neighbor said, "I'm not going to condemn her son. I know he had drug and mental issues. It's very tragic, just horrible."
Neighbors described the 59-year-old woman as outgoing and friendly. One of her neighbors, Mark, said, "She's a very nice lady and didn't deserve this."
A list provided to us by Bend Police showed Joshua Smith's arrests date back to 2006 and include drug possession, theft, hit-and-run, aggravated assault, strangulation, menacing, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and harassment.
