***MEDIA ADVISORY***

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 05, 2017

VIOLENT DRIVING ATTACKS RESULT IN MORE THAN 23 YEAR SENTENCE FOR KOSCIUSKO COUNTY’S ALEXANDER JACKSON

Media Contact: Vicki Elaine Becker (574) 296-1888

Alexander D. Jackson, 25, of Syracuse, Indiana, was sentenced Friday morning to more than 23 years after endangering Kosciusko County motorists, and a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Deputy, in July, 2016.

Jackson initially drove in an aggressive manner and fired a handgun at two civilian victims while traveling south on State Road 13 between Syracuse and North Webster. Numerous others on the road were also affected as Jackson rammed the victims’ vehicle, drove at high rates of speed, and passed several other motorists on the left and right as he entered North Webster.

Officer McCune, KCSD, was attempting to intercept Jackson to stop his attack when Jackson sideswiped the police cruiser, causing the airbags to deploy and initially rendering Officer McCune unconscious. Jackson then used his truck to repeatedly ram into the police cruiser, at which time Officer McCune fired his duty weapon, striking Jackson, after which Jackson was subdued and taken into custody.

Jackson was originally charged with Attempted Murder, Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting Law Enforcement, and Criminal Recklessness, and was released on bond in the amount of $250 cash, shortly after being incarcerated for three days, and a No Contact Order was entered.

Approximately one month later, Jackson observed one of the original victims driving in Kosciusko County with his wife and attempted to hit them “head-on”. The Kosciusko County Prosecutor filed additional charges of Intimidation, Criminal Recklessness with a Deadly Weapon, and Invasion of Privacy. Judge Stephen Bowers, Elkhart Superior Court 2, was appointed as a special judge in the case as Jackson is related to a member of the Kosciusko County Board of County Commissioners. The Kosciusko County Prosecutor also requested a Special Prosecutor be appointed. In December, 2016, the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney for Elkhart County accepted the assignment and pursued the case.

On April 27, 2017, Jackson pled guilty to an amended charge of Attempted Aggravated Battery, a Level 3 felony, Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, a Level 5 felony, Resisting Law Enforcement in a Vehicle Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, a Level 5 felony, and Criminal Recklessness While Armed with a Deadly Weapon, a Level 5 felony. Jackson also pled to Intimidation with a Deadly Weapon, a Level 5 felony, and Invasion of Privacy, a Class A misdemeanor, from the September events.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Laura Bird presented testimony and exhibits at the sentencing hearing, and argued for 28 years total with 6 suspended and 22 years in prison for Mr. Jackson as he was already on probation out of the State of Florida when he committed the first offense. The defense also presented evidence. Judge Bowers then sentenced Jackson to 23 and one half years, 13 ½ years to be served at the Indiana Department of Correction, and 10 years suspended on reporting probation.

 

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“Under Indiana law, all persons arrested for a criminal offense are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”