Preliminary hearing postponed for Eau Claire man accused of killing Medford man
A preliminary hearing for the man accused of the December 2024 stabbing death of 31-year-old Alex Graff, of Medford, has been postponed until September 23 after his attorneys withdrew from the case on August 27.
Anthony N. Jackson, 44, of Eau Claire, appeared in Eau Claire Circuit Court on Tuesday via video from the Eau Claire County jail where he remains in custody for the homicide and numerous other charges. The court approved having a defense attorney appointed for Jackson and rescheduled the preliminary hearing until 2:30 p.m. on September 23.
On August 27, Jackson was ruled by the court to be competent to stand trial for the murder of Graff. According to video surveillance and witness statements, Graff was playing pool at the Do-Dodge-Inn in Eau Claire when the suspect, Anthony Jackson began stabbing Graff.
Jackson had been acting strange prior to the stabbing. Graff was stabbed several times including in the heart, face, and back. Graff ran from the bar and collapsed outside.
According to court records, Jackson’s attorneys advised that he filed a request for them to withdraw from the case. Dr. Katelyn Grusecki, of Wisconsin Department of Health Services at Mendota Mental Health Institute testified as to Jackson’s competency to stand trial. Court records note that Jackson was removed from the courtroom due to an altercation and finished the hearing appearing via zoom from his jail cell. Jackson’s attorneys stood mute following the testimony and the court ruled he was competent to stand trial.
Jackson faces first degree intentional homicide with a dangerous weapon, attempted first degree homicide with a dangerous weapon and two counts of felony bail jumping. If convicted Jackson faces up to life in prison on the homicide charge, up to 60 years in prison for the attempted homicide and up to six years in prison for each of the bail jumping charges.
In addition to the charges related to the homicide, Jackson has 11 other active cases in Eau Claire County including a number of bail jumping charges.
