A Columbia saxophonist who frequently plays downtown is in ICU in Jackson after an attack this week at the Marion County Regional Correctional Facility.
James Medious, 56, remained at the University of Mississippi Medical Center as of press deadlines with extensive injuries to his face and head.
Major Zack Guidroz said he’s been in contact daily with Medious’s family to check on his status since the assault on Tuesday and said Medious is expected to recover.
Medious is well-known for playing his saxophone on Second Street and also travels frequently to New Orleans to perform. He had been arrested Jan. 11 by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and faced DUI and other charges. The attack happened three days later.
Four prisoners face aggravated assault charges in connection with the incident and had bond set at $100,000 Thursday. They are, along with the charges they were in jail for:
• Tristan Alford, 31, Foxworth, charged with murder from Jeff Davis County
• Hakeem Conerly, 29, Kokomo, drug charges from Marion County
• Henry Sammie Foil, 34, Kokomo, murder and arson charges related to the February 2019 death of Martin Shane Lewis, who body was found in a burning car in Kokomo
• Derrell Thomas, 33, Columbia, drug charges from Marion County.
They face up to 20 years on the aggravated assault charges, in addition to the other charges pending against them. The four suspects are being kept segregated from general housing at the jail, Guidroz said.
He said the assault happened inside a housing unit at the facility. He said they’re still interviewing witnesses to find out what happened.
He called it an “isolated incident” that was unrelated to gang activity or the recent upheaval in the state prison system related to the state Penitentiary at Parchman. The motive for the attack remains unclear, Guidroz said.
Guidroz said Medious was released from the jail’s custody Tuesday.
