CHESTER JACKSON JR’S LAWYER SAYS BLAME LIES WITH MULTIPLE PARTIES
The attorney for a Somerville man who remains in care in Austin said Friday both a psychiatric hospital and Burleson County authorities are responsible for his condition.
Chester Jackson, Jr.’s attorney, U.A. Lewis, spoke at a press conference Friday in front of Cross Creek Hospital in Austin, where Jackson was taken after a short stay in the Burleson County Jail. After just a few hours at Cross Creek, the 30-year-old was rushed to another hospital and placed on life support.
Jackson’s attorney and family members say Cross Creek isn’t explaining how he ended up unconscious under their care. Lewis said Burleson County deputies, who gave Jackson a courtesy transport there, share blame with the hospital as they chose to take him there. Lewis said it may look like the blame has shifted from Burleson County to Cross Creek, but in reality the fingers are now just pointed in more directions.
Jackson was arrested by deputies last month near his home in Somerville on a public intoxication charge, after his father told authorities his son hit him. Jackson’s family said he had a history of mental illness and needed to be taken to a hospital in Houston, but authorities said Jackson looked to be high on PCP and would need to go to jail.
Lewis said this was “poor speculation”, as toxicology reports from Jackson entering the hospital indicate he had no illegal narcotics in his system. She also said authorities determined, without verifying, that Jackson was not having a mental health crisis, despite the pleas from his family.
Family members said they are waiting on tests to see if Jackson suffered any head trauma after he appeared to be pushed by a Caldwell police officer in the jail. Family said there is a visible head wound from when Jackson was seen on body camera footage falling and hitting his head against a toilet in his cell. Lewis claimed at least one of the officers seen interacting with Jackson in that video was not licensed to be in the jail.
Jackson has been moved out of intensive care at St. David’s Medical Center in Austin. Lewis noted that he is now stable and breathing on his own without a ventilator, but he is still unable to speak. The Texas Rangers are currently conducting a criminal investigation into the case.
I watched all of the videos posted online last week and it appears that Mr. Jackson was healthy and able to stand, walk, and engage in conversation when he arrived at Cross Creek. Mr. Lewis is obviously an attorney looking for someone to sue (shame on you Mr. Lewis), but if something happened to Mr. Jackson, it is clear it happened at Cross Creek and they are the one responsible not the local law enforcement officers.
I did watch the video, and I don’t care if he appeared healthy or not, he was clearly thrown solidly into a steel bunk and toilet. I’m a veteran, I can attest that even hitting your head ‘lightly’ against a steel bunk can result in near-fatal injuries, or death if untreated. You want your family or yourself treated like that if you end up in jail ever?