By RUMMANA HUSSAIN
Chicago Sun-Times
Arthur S. Jones | Cook County Sheriff’s Dept.
The man accused of stabbing Jessica Renee Hampton to death on a CTA Red Line train suffers from paranoid schizophrenia and had been living at a nursing home to address his mental health issues, an assistant Cook County public defender said in court Wednesday.
Arthur S. Jones, 29, has been institutionalized at least 10 times since he was diagnosed with the illness in high school. He was kicked out of DuSable High in ninth grade, defense attorney Julie Koehler told Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr.
Jones is charged with killing the 25-year-old Hampton while they were riding a southbound train together June 23.
At some point during their commute, the two, who were in a “dating relationship,” began arguing, Assistant State’s Attorney April Gonzales said.
As they fought, they moved to different cars and at the 35th Street stop, Jones lit a cigarette and asked Hampton if she was going to have his baby, Gonzales said.
Jessica Renee Hampton | Facebook
Hampton shook her head “no,” prompting Jones to get up from his seat, lunge toward Hampton with a knife, and stab her in the neck and upper body, Gonzales said.
When Hampton fell to the floor, Jones continued to stab her, Gonzales said. He then allegedly dragged her body and began slicing her throat as other commuters looked on.
Officers responding to several 911 calls arrested Jones at the 47th Street stop. The knife was recovered, Gonzales said.
Jones had blood on his hands and a cut to his finger, Gonzales said.
The attack was captured on surveillance cameras and five witnesses identified Jones as Hampton’s attacker, Gonzales said.
Jones was taken to St. Bernard Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries while under police guard.
While using the bathroom in the hospital, Jones jumped up and tried to take an officer’s gun, Gonzales said. He screamed that he was going to kill everyone, including himself, the prosecutor said.
During the struggle with Jones, an officer suffered a shoulder sprain, Gonzales said.
Jones was eventually Tasered and handcuffed at St. Bernard, Gonzales said.
Bourgeois called Jones an “imminent threat” and ordered him held without bond.
Jones has a previous conviction for a residential burglary.