Victor Collins (General Hospital) - Marcus Taggert

Marcus Taggert is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera General Hospital. The character was portrayed by Reál Andrews from October 1996 to April 1997 and from February 1998 to May 2003. Mathew St. Patrick portrayed him from April 1997 to November 1997.

As a youngster, Marcus met Deke Woods, Sonny Corinthos's stepfather and a police officer in Brooklyn. Deke became Marcus' mentor, inspiring the young man to become a police officer himself. Deke was killed by Joe Scully in an alley. Marcus decided to seek revenge. He moved to Port Charles and harassed Sonny every chance he got. His vendetta with Sonny got him into trouble on the job on more than one occasion. He gained a soft spot for Sonny's first wife Lily Rivera Corinthos. When she was killed in a car bombing meant for Sonny, he hated him even more.

In 1998, Taggert began dating Assistant District Attorney Dara Jensen after pursing her for quite some time. Taggert could not shake the feeling something more was going on between Dara and Justus Ward than Dara let on.

Taggert and Justus had previously butted heads. Taggert had a prime opportunity to get Justus Ward out of his life for good when a tape came into his possession. On the tape was a confession from Justus, to the murder of Damian Smith, a crime he had committed in 1996, when he caught Damian trying to burn down Ward House, an orphanage founded by Justus' grandmother, Mary Mae Ward.

Taggert brought the tape to Dara's attention. Out of concern for Justus, she asked Taggert to compromise his principles and burn the tape. Because Taggert truly cared about Dara, he complied.

Within a year, Taggert and Dara's relationship came to an end—not because of Justus Ward, but because of Dara's devotion to her job. Taggert felt there was not enough room in Dara's life for both him and her job. When Taggert asked if Dara could devote any more time to making their relationship work, Dara made her choice. She had put as much as she could into their relationship. They parted ways.

Taggert soon took on a new role when he volunteered to look after Juan Santiago after his father, Armando agreed to allow Juan to remain in Port Charles.

In 2000, Taggert was surprised when his maternal half-sister, Gia Campbell, arrived in Port Charles, with Taggert furious to learn she had taken time off from school. Taggert and Gia had a strained relationship at best. Gia even hid her presence from him when she first arrived in town. Shortly thereafter, Taggert's mother, Florence Campbell, also came to Port Charles to be near her children.

Taggert and FBI agent Hannah Scott continued to grow closer and became lovers, despite Dara's warning the trouble she brought the FBI was trouble that followed Hannah everywhere. Taggert, however, continued to enjoy his newfound relationship, and continued to be annoyed by Hannah's friendship with A. J. Quartermaine. Hannah had made it clear to AJ she was involved with Taggert. They would never share more than just friendship. AJ clearly wanted more with Hannah. Hannah's friendship with AJ strained her relationship with Taggert, who reached his breaking point and ended things with her.

Soon the following year, Taggert was shocked to come upon a car accident involving Elizabeth Webber, Courtney Matthews and his sister Gia. Liz's life was threatened by the crash, and Gia was at fault, but Liz had no memory of it.

Taggert became suspicious about his sister's involvement in the car accident, and was certain Nikolas Cassadine was the true guilty party. Gia was an unwitting accomplice. Taggert placed an undercover officer, Sharifa, in Wyndemere to uncover proof of Nikolas's dealings.

At this time, Nikolas' grandmother, Helena Cassadine managed to escape from police custody. Helena took refuge in the tunnels of Wyndemere, where she overheard Nikolas and Gia discussing their cover-up of the automobile accident. Helena blackmailed Gia into helping her escape.

Taggert was shocked when Sharifa uncovered proof Gia was responsible for the accident, as well as helping the fugitive Helena evade the authorities. Taggert confronted Gia and Nikolas with the video evidence, but could not bring himself to arrest his little sister.

By 2003, Taggert was frustrated over the way Scott Baldwin was abusing his power as District Attorney to push his own agenda against Sonny. Taggert wanted to take Sonny down as much as Scott did, but could not agree with Scott's illegal methods. Scott, not wanting Taggert to get in his way, set Taggert up as a scapegoat in Scott's sudden campaign to do away with "dirty cops". Offering Taggert no other choice, Scott forced Taggert to take a job on the police force in Portland, Oregon.