Suspect in Jackson standoff getting mental health treatment

A Jackson man who allegedly threatened to stab Cape Girardeau County deputies March 18 after threats to commit suicide was granted a temporary release from jail Thursday to attend in-patient mental health treatment.

Mark T. Parsons, 46, also appeared in court Tuesday before Associate Circuit Court Judge Gary A. Kamp, who set his preliminary hearing for April 16.

Upon discharge from treatment, Parsons must return to the Cape Girardeau County Jail.

Deputies from the sheriff's office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol were sent to Parsons' residence around 7 p.m. March 18 after a call came in that he threatening to kill himself.

When officers arrived, Parsons displayed a large knife and a handgun, threatening to stab officers if they came closer.

He's been charged with second-degree felony assault on a law enforcement officer.

Parsons kept officers at his home for around 12 hours. Around 7 a.m. Friday, deputies searched Parsons' home and found him hiding in a crawl space in the basement. He was arrested after a brief struggle and was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital.