“When he knew police were looking for him, he turned himself in two days later… . . It’s test week at DePaul and he’s concerned about missing them,” Placek said Wednesday urging Judge Israel Desierto to give Jackson a low bond.
Desierto ordered Jackson, 45, held in lieu of $500,000 bail as his lawyer brother, George Jackson III, looked on.
The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Jackson is accused of stomping on Mixon in what prosecutors said was an unprovoked attack in the 300 block of East 43rd Street.
But Jackson’s brother told the Sun-Times that Mixon , who has a history of mental illness, prompted the interaction with Jackson as he tried to make his way to DePaul.
“He [Jackson] was texting a friend over his inability to meet because he had to study when Mr. Mixon initiated contact,” George Jackson III said.
Prosecutors had a different story.
They said it was Jackson who started the physical contact by punching Mixon in the head after the two strangers started talking on the platform as they waited for the “L.”
Jackson eventually knocked Mixon to the ground and started stomping and jumping on his head with both feet, assistant state’s attorney Stephanie Buck said. Mixon never hit Jackson, Buck said.
Jackson allegedly took several short breaks before attacking the victim again as other CTA passengers screamed and called 911.
Jackson has a 1987 battery conviction in McLean County.