Car dealership stabbing suspect denied bond

By The Daily Progress Staff

Published: July 10, 2008

A former Battlefield Ford employee who police say stabbed a current salesman at the dealership was denied bond this morning.

James Thomas Jackson, 66, appeared in Albemarle County General District Court, along with a group of church members, nieces, nephews and his sister and wife. Jackson was charged with malicious wounding last month in connection with a stabbing at the dealership.

Assistant Public Defender Nicholas Reppucci requested a secured bond in court, saying that his client didn’t have a prior criminal history and had people in the community who were willing to support him.

According to Shawn Fanan, the dealership’s general manager, a man came into the office of the 59-year-old veteran salesman around 9:30 a.m. June 25. Fanan said the man pulled a knife and started slashing the victim.

Elliott Casey, an Albemarle assistant commonwealth’s attorney, said in court this morning that Jackson had told police he bought a knife with the express purpose of killing the victim.

“The defendant stated to the officer that he wanted to have a bigger knife,” Casey said in court. “… the defendant’s intention was very clear - that he intended to end [the victim’s] life.”

Authorities said the victim suffered wounds to his neck. Jackson also was treated for a cut on his hand prior to being taken to the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail.

Fanan has said that Jackson recently bought a car from the dealership.

A judge ordered today that Jackson undergo a competency evaluation. He is scheduled to return Sept. 25 to court for a preliminary hearing.