Chicago man stabs Thanksgiving host to death after he was kicked out for eating food with his bare hands
A guest at a Thanksgiving party allegedly stabbed his host's boyfriend to death in Chicago after he was kicked out of the event for eating food with his bare hands. The man, identified as 29-year-old James Dixon, reportedly put his hands into leftover food during a heated argument before stabbing a man, identified as 52-year-old Vincell Jackson, at least nine times in his upper body, officials have alleged. The Cook County medical examiner's office said that Jackson eventually succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
Dixon, a Walmart stock worker, was arrested on November 27 at Holy Cross Hospital "after he went to be treated for a small laceration to his neck, and cuts to his finger," according to the Chicago Police. Dixon was identified as the person who allegedly stabbed the man "multiple times during an argument the same day in the 6800 block of S. Talman at about 3.15 am." The police, in a statement, said: "He and the victim were involved in a verbal altercation inside a residence that spilled onto the front porch and turned physical. The victim was transported to the University of Chicago hospital where he succumbed to his injuries."
The party's host had reportedly been concerned about Dixon digging his bare hands into the food, according to The Chicago Tribune. Jackson, therefore, began escorting Dixon to the front door, however, the Walmart worker allegedly punched the older man, a court heard on Monday, November 30. The confrontation continued on the home's front porch and Jackson ultimately was last seen alive on top of Dixon, Assistant State’s Attorney Susie Bucaro told the judge at the court. Jackson was reportedly calling out for someone to call 911. After hearing the commotion, a witness came out to the front porch and saw Dixon running away from the scene and a critically injured Jackson kneeling over a banister.
It was revealed during the Monday hearing that Jackson was found to have been fatally stabbed and suffered nine stab wounds to his face, head, and left arm. The 52-year-old's death was ruled as homicide by the Cook County medical examiner's office. Dixon was arrested by police nearly eight hours after the incident and he was in possession of multiple knives, including one covered in blood, the court was told.
Dixon's attorney, Patrick Ryan, told the court that his client had a valid self-defense claim and that he himself had suffered wounds to his body protecting himself from Jackson. The Assistant State’s Attorney, however, disagreed with the claim and told the court that witnesses alleged that Dixon had been aggressive towards Jackson. Judge Ortiz, at the court, however, said that prosecutors had failed to show the burden of proof to keep Dixon in custody without bail. The judge, however, cited Dixon's felony background, which also included an arson conviction. His bail amount has been set at $35,000.
Dixon, before being escorted away, asked the judge: "I was just asking, how much does the case carry." To which she responded with: "First-degree murder from 20 to 60 years, sir."