The roller-coaster ride that is the life of former Chicago Department of Public Health worker Mike Jackson has acquired a couple of new twists and turns, thanks to an attempted overdose and an alleged attack.
On April 10, Jackson was admitted to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove ( DuPage County ) because he tried to commit suicide by swallowing depressants and sleeping pills, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. When he was admitted, he was not responsive. However, upon waking up in the emergency room, he repeatedly demanded to leave. When a nurse told Jackson that he had to stay, he supposedly swung at her twice and said 'And here's some HIV for you, you bitch!' At that point, Jackson—who is HIV-positive—allegedly spat bloody saliva in the nurse's direction.
In DuPage County, Jackson was charged with aggravated assault and reckless conduct after the incident at the hospital. These charges are in addition to his first-degree murder charge in the Feb. 4 Lakeview death of taxi driver Haroon Paryani. In the Paryani case, witnesses claim that outside of Jackson's apartment, Jackson and Paryani argued over a cab fare and threw punches. They then allege that Paryani fell down, Jackson got in the cab, and ran over the driver three times. Regarding the Good Samaritan incident, DuPage Judge Eugene Wojcik set Jackson's bond at $250,000.
Circuit Court Judge James Schreier, who granted Jackson bond April 7, issued a no-bond warrant for Jackson's arrest, demanding that he be present in Cook County for a hearing on the new accusations, according to the Chicago Tribune. At an April 14 hearing, defense attorney Tom Breen said he was 'embarrassed' to be back in court defending the latest set of allegations. Assistant State's Attorney Mercedes Luque Rosales said that the events at Good Samaritan only prove that Jackson is a danger to the community, adding that Jackson 'has a complete and utter disregard for the law. When he doesn't get his way, he throws a tantrum and responds with violence.' However, Breen insisted that Jackson did not mean to hurt anyone. He said that Jackson was disoriented and simply desired to leave. Breen also contended that the circumstances surrounding Paryani's death have 'caused Jackson to spiral downward emotionally and physically.'
Schreier said he wants to hear from the emergency room nurse who was allegedly attacked by Jackson. The judge said the hearing would determine whether the alleged spitting was intentional or involuntary.
However, Schreier may have to wait a while before getting that hearing. John Gorman, press liaison for the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, informed Windy City Times that Jackson has to show up before the DuPage County judge before appearing in Cook County—and that before that initial hearing, he must leave the hospital. 'It's hard to say when Mike Jackson will leave,' Gorman said. 'He's voluntarily committed himself to Good Samaritan and no one knows how long he'll stay.'
After being granted bond, Jackson was living with his partner in the 2700 block of South Highland Avenue in Lombard, according to the Downers Grove police report about the hospital-related incident.