FAMILY OF CHESTER JACKSON, JR. FILES CIVIL LAWSUIT AGAINST BURLESON CO., FORMER SHERIFF, CITY OF CALDWELL

  

The family of Chester Jackson, Jr. has announced they have filed a civil lawsuit against Burleson County, the City of Caldwell, former Burleson County Sheriff Thomas Norsworthy, and several others involved with Jackson’s handling while in Burleson County custody in April 2019.

The lawsuit, filed Monday by Houston attorney U.A. Lewis, makes public new details and accusations in the series of events involving the Somerville resident. The suit seeks punitive and exemplary damages for Jackson, alleging his rights were violated on multiple levels.  It also asks for apologies from Burleson County and the City of Caldwell for the transgressions that occurred, and for policies and procedures to be implemented to prevent similar events from happening again.

The lawsuit also names Burleson County Sheriff’s Deputy John K. Bennett as Jackson’s arresting officer in April 2019, when Jackson was booked on a public intoxication charge. The lawsuit alleges Bennett had not been trained properly to recognize that Jackson was suffering a mental health crisis, saying he falsely identified Jackson’s condition as PCP intoxication.

The suit also claims that former Caldwell police officer Robert Baucom, the officer who was seen on body camera footage pushing Jackson while he was handcuffed inside a jail cell, was inadequately trained by the city and Burleson County in regards to use of force. It also alleges the city and county allowed Baucom to “freely roam” throughout the Burleson County Jail and operate as a jailor, despite not being licensed to do so.

Baucom was sentenced to one year of probation after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of Official Oppression. As part of his sentence, Baucom surrendered his peace officer’s license.

The lawsuit also claims that Justice of the Peace Robert Urbanosky, who presided over Jackson's magistrate hearing, made threatening comments towards Jackson. The suit alleges Urbanosky told Jackson “he had a rope for guys that act like Chester”.

Jackson, who has also claimed he was sexually assaulted while in Burleson County custody, is facing a felony charge of assaulting a public servant for allegedly biting a Burleson County Jail staff member while in custody.

After a brief stay at the county jail, he was transported by deputies to Cross Creek Psychiatric Hospital in Austin. After losing consciousness there after being sedated and put into a hold, he was then taken to St. David’s Hospital in Austin in critical condition.  According to a prepared statement by then-District Attorney Julie Renken, a grand jury found no evidence that Baucom’s actions caused Jackson’s medical condition.

According to Jackson’s attorney, his condition has improved, and he is no longer in ICU.