(La Porte County, IN) - A man accused of trying to kill someone last year is now facing allegations of badly injuring a La Porte County Jail officer.

 

Bertrell Randle, 44, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with Level 5 felony battery in connection with the April 15 attack in the jail.

 

According to court documents, Randle was confronted by jail officers in his cell block after breaking a television with a broom handle in a common area of the facility.  At one point, Randle allegedly struck one of the jail officers in the face with his hand.

 

The officer, who was knocked to the floor, suffered fractures to his nose and eye socket, authorities said.

 

Randle has been in the jail since October waiting for the court to decide charges of attempted murder and aggravated battery against him.  The charges stem from Randle allegedly stabbing an older man walking his dogs in Michigan City’s Uptown Arts District.  Police said the man stabbed in the chest and jaw was taken by a medical helicopter to a South Bend hospital for treatment.

 

According to court documents, Randle was holding a knife when he approached the victim and stabbed him following an exchange of blows.  Randle was being held on $100,000 bond.