by Michael Anderson, Times-Union
A man who tried to attack the same man twice, including once in which he was shot and injured by police, has reached a plea deal with prosecutors.
Alexander Jackson, 25, Syracuse, had been scheduled to face a jury trial in June over both incidents which led to a combined eight felony counts including attempted murder.
Instead of a jury trial, Jackson will now face sentencing in late June.
Under a plea agreement, the attempted murder charge was reduced to attempted aggravated battery, a level 3 felony.
Jackson also agreed to plead guilty to four other felony counts, including battery on a law enforcement officer. The remaining three charges were dropped.
Jackson reached the agreement with the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office during a status conference Friday.
The case was handled by Elkhart County officials because Jackson’s father, Brad Jackson, is a Kosciusko County commissioner.
The first incident occurred July 27 on Ind. 13.
Jackson was driving a pickup, hauling a utility trailer, and began chasing another pickup driven by his former brother-in-law, Nathaniel Boyer, along Ind. 13 south of Syracuse.
During the chase, Jackson allegedly fired shots at Boyer’s vehicle.
While driving south toward North Webster, Jackson rammed his vehicle into the back of Boyer’s vehicle. As the chase continued into North Webster, Jackson rammed Boyer’s vehicle again, causing Boyer’s vehicle to lose control, travel off the roadway and strike three poles before getting back on the road, court records state.
Byron Oswald, a passenger in Boyer’s truck, called 911 to let them know a car was chasing them and shots were being fired at them.
Police began their pursuit as the two vehicles reached the North Webster Police Department. After joining the chase, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department deputy Donald McCune quickly realized the lead car in the chase was being shot at by the other vehicle.
At one point, McCune tried to stop Jackson’s vehicle by pulling into its path. Jackson accelerated his vehicle and struck McCune’s car.
Jackson continued chasing Boyer, who then turned left onto East Huntington Street. When Jackson attempted to make the turn, he lost control and struck a building.
McCune, seeing Jackson’s vehicle had struck the building, tried to use his car to block Jackson from leaving. Jackson then rammed his vehicle into McCune’s vehicle with enough force that it knocked McCune unconscious. As McCune regained consciousness, Jackson rammed McCune’s vehicle two or three more times.
After giving repeated commands, McCune observed Jackson rev the engine in an attempt to ram him again and, fearing for his life, McCune fired several shots into Jackson’s vehicle, striking and injuring Jackson, the affidavit states.
At that point, Jackson exited the vehicle and surrendered, court records state.
After Jackson was released from the hospital, he was arrested and charged with six felony counts.
While out on bond, Jackson was arrested again after Oswald reported to Syracuse police that Jackson had attacked him again.
In the second incident, Oswald told police, Jackson appeared to intentionally veer his vehicle directly toward him but there was no collision.
Under Jackson’s plea agreement, he faces three to 34 years behind bars on charges related to the first incident.
Any prison sentence meted for the second incident will be suspended and served on probation.
Special Judge Stephen Bowers set sentencing for 9:30 a.m. June 30 in Elkhart Superior Court II.
