EUGENE – On March 5 at 11:30 a.m. at the Lane County Jail, a Lane County Sheriff’s deputy assisted a nurse with medication distribution in a housing area. John Paul Lockhart, 62, of Medford, was out of his cell for his dayroom time, which custodians are given throughout the day in all housing areas. As the deputy was assisting the nurse and another inmate, Lockhart ran at the deputy and began striking him with a mop handle, causing injuries to his arm and torso.
The deputy deployed pepper spray, which was ineffective. The deputy then took Lockhart to the floor, removed the broom, and Lockhart, who was already in custody on multiple warrants and for crimes investigated by Oregon State Police and the Eugene Police Department, was charged with attempted assault in the 2nd degree, assault on a Public Safety Officer, unlawful use of a weapon, and supplying contraband.
