WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: Former D.J. Beaten and Robbed

Former D.J. Beaten and Robbed

By Bert Case
bert@wlbt.net

A well-known radio personality in Jackson from the 1950s through the 1980s, John Friskillo, clings to life after being found severely beaten in the trailer he lived in behind Mart 51 in Jackson. 

Friskillo, 80, lived in a trailer in the Linde Road Trailer Park behind Mart 51 shopping center in south Jackson. He had to get around in a wheel chair due to a stroke. Witnesses said he was badly beaten in what was apparently a robbery about 2:30 a.m. Thursday.

Commander Jesse Robinson of Precinct Two gave us this account.

"Mr. Friskillo had been assaulted and he was lying in a bed and was bleeding heavily from his head area," Robinson said. "When officers arrived on scene, there was two white males seen exiting his house, by the witnesses. Officers searched the area but were unable to find them."

A car belonging to Vera Woodward, 45, who lives in a nearby trailer, was stolen shortly after the 2:30 a.m. beating. The car was later dumped into the Big Black River just off Highway 49 just inside Yazoo County. The car was recovered about 8:30 a.m., and blood was found when it was rolled into the water.

Woodward says she is sure her car was stolen by the same people who attacked Friskillo. She says they live in the area, and she says the car pulled from the river was indeed hers.

Bobbi Imbragulio is a long-time friend of John Friskillo and alerted WLBT to what happened in the trailer park.

"Anybody that will rob or take advantage of an elderly, disabled person is scum," he said. "To assault him -- they didn't have to do anything, (because) they have the power to take whatever he's got."

Commander Robinson is sure the suspects will be caught. 

"They are two white males, one five nine 180 with blue eyes, brown hair; one five nine 160 with blue eyes," he said. "The one who was 160 has blonde hair."

If you have any information in this case you are asked to call Jackson police.