COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — A man already serving 28 years in prison for viciously stabbing his girlfriend in 2006 now faces murder charges in the same case.
James Jackson stabbed then-girlfriend Angelique McClellan more than 15 times in her neck, arms, chest and back following an argument in July 2006 — ultimately paralyzing the woman from her waist down, prosecutors said.
Jackson was eventually convicted of attempted murder and sentenced in 2010 to 28 years in prison, court record show. His projected parole date is in March 2031.
But in June of this year, McClellan died of complications from the stabbing, Assistant State's Attorney Liam Reardon said during a bond hearing Thursday.
Jackson, 38, now faces first-degree murder charges.
According to prosecutors, Jackson and McClellan had been dating for four years before the attack occurred. They lived together in the 100 block of North Lorel Avenue in Austin and had two children.
On July 20, 2006, the couple got into an argument, and McClellan told Jackson to move out, Reardon said.
The following morning, as McClellan stood in front of her home talking to two neighbors, Jackson walked up with a knife, forced McClellan inside and stabbed her 15 times, prosecutors said.
McClellan pretended to be dead, Reardon noted, and Jackson stabbed her again.
McClellan's sister soon arrived on the scene and pushed Jackson to get him away from McClellan, prosecutors said. Jackson dropped the knife and fled. McClellan was treated for her wounds at a nearby hospital, but was partially paralyzed and required a wheelchair until her dying day.
According to Reardon, Jackson evaded arrested until May 2007, when he turned himself in after being featured on an episode of the WGN show "Fugitive Hunters."
McClellan died at age 30 on June 12. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office ruled her death a homicide caused by "multiple sharp force injuries."
According to his public defender, Jackson is divorced with five children. He previously worked at McCormick Place and is a lifelong Chicagoan, the attorney said.
Cook County Judge Maria Kuriakos Ciesil on Thursday set bail at $1 million.
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