Jackson sued for $10M
Victim from 2003 incident says he's been unable to work
Saturday, May 28, 2005
BY NATHAN FENNO
News Sports Reporter
An Ypsilanti man is suing former University of Michigan football player Marlin Jackson for $10 million over a 2003 altercation.
In the lawsuit filed Tuesday in Washtenaw County Circuit Court, Shahin Farokhrany alleges he's suffered permanent vision loss, mental and physical anguish, and "general damages in the millions of dollars" after the June 1, 2003 incident.
Jackson, who was selected in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts last month, pleaded guilty to a charge of misdemeanor aggravated assault on Aug. 14, 2003 as part of a plea agreement and was later sentenced to probation. The charge stemmed from a party where Jackson admitted to hitting Farokhrany in the right eye, but denied hitting him with a bottle, as Farokhrany claimed.
After the August hearing, Farokhrany expressed a desire to move on.
"I love Michigan football and I'm proud of him," Farokhrany told reporters. "One day I'll see him in the NFL or something. Sometimes, people get drunk and make mistakes. Hopefully, he won't be hitting people in the face again."
Farokhrany also told reporters after the 2003 hearing that he didn't suffer any permanent damage to his vision and would not pursue civil action against Jackson.
But the lawsuit again contends that Jackson hit Farokhrany with a bottle, and Farokhrany has needed continued medical care, has been limited in attending school and has been unable to work since the incident.
Jackson's agent, Doug Hendrickson of Octagon, could not be reached for comment.
A message left for Farokhrany's attorney, Michael Behan, was not returned.
Nathan Fenno can be reached at
[email protected] or (734) 994-6835
© 2005 Ann Arbor News. Used with permission
