Randy Jackson surrenders to court - UPI Archives (original) (raw)

LOS ANGELES -- Stephen 'Randy' Jackson, brother of singer Michael Jackson and former member of The Jackson Five, surrendered to a judge Wednesday to begin serving 30 days in a mental hospital for attacking his wife.

Jackson, who appeared in Municipal Court surrounded by members of the Jackson family, will spend 30 days in Pine Grove Hospital and Mental Health Center in Canoga Park and then enroll in a yearlong domestic violence rehabilitation program, said Ted Goldstein, spokesman for the city attorney's office.

Jackson, whose brother Michael was not in court, must also serve the remainder of his 24-month probation term, Goldstein said.

Jackson, who with his siblings formed the 1970s super-group The Jackson Five, was sentenced to 30 days in custody with therapy last week for violating his probation stemming from a previous wife-abuse charge.

But he dropped out of sight without notifying the court, and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.

Jackson was charged with misdemeanor spousal abuse for attacking his wife on Oct. 30 while she was on the telephone with a deputy city attorney discussing other instances of abuse. Mrs. Jackson was holding their 14-month-old daughter, Stephenanna, at the time.

His wife said Jackson had been abusive to her -- pushing, shoving and punching her repeadedly -- since the child's birth, Goldstein said.

Jackson was first prosecuted for assaulting his wife in January and was sentenced to 24 months probation and counseling. He apparently never enrolled in counseling, Goldstein said.