Assault victim hanging onto life

FARMINGTON — A 60-year-old man allegedly the victim of an assault last week at a Farmington bar remains in critical condition at St. Louis University Hospital, according to Police Chief Rick Baker.

Baker said he has spoken almost daily to nurses at the hospital who say the condition of Frederick L. (Buddy) Jones is “about the same.” He has been listed in critical condition in the intensive care unit of the hospital since being transferred there June 3. He indicated the hospital would not go so far as to say Jones’ condition is stable.

There have been almost daily rumors that Jones has died, authorities said, but that tends to occur when an assault victim in serious or critical condition is transported to a hospital out of the area for treatment.

Prosecuting Attorney Wendy Wexler Horn said she also hears such rumors, but is in daily contact with the Farmington Police Department to get an update on the victim’s condition.

A daughter spoke to the police chief Tuesday, Baker said, and told him her father suffered a severe brain injury. She said it is too early for them to determine the extent of brain damage he has suffered, according to the doctors.

Police arrested 37-year-old Bryan Dickerson of Park Hills for the alleged assault of Jones. He was arraigned Tuesday on a first-degree assault charge stemming from the incident. Dickerson remains in the County Jail under a $150,000 bond.

Witnesses told police Dickerson entered the bar in the downtown business district bragging he had just been thrown out of another tavern for fighting. They said he then began picking a fight with Jones. They said Dickerson eventually punched Jones, causing him to fall backward to the floor and strike his head.

When police arrived, Jones was unresponsive on the floor of the bar room and Dickerson was leaning against a nearby wall.