Korean War veteran beaten in home invasion takes stand

Tom Mixon describes to jurors everything he lost in home invasion

HOUSTON – A Korean War veteran nearly beaten to death in a home invasion took the stand Tuesday against the man he says attacked him.

The victim in this case, Thomas "Big Tom" Mixon, said he remembers coming home, and the next thing he remembers is waking up in the hospital.

Wearing an eye patch over the eye he lost in the attack, Mixon described to jurors Tuesday all that he lost in the home invasion.

At time, Mixon teared up. His son did the same outside the courtroom after the testimony.

"It was very difficult to relive the whole thing, to go through it again," said Mixon's son. "You just don't want to see him go through something like that."

The then 79-year-old Marine was attacked in his home in the city of south Houston during a home invasion.

Police said Charles Turner was the suspected attacker. An expert said that DNA collected ties Turner to the crime.

Mixon said he lost all but two teeth. His family said every bone in his face was broken.

Mixon was found drowning in his own blood, his wife called for help and he was rushed to the hospital.

"Just gotta do what they tell me to do until I recover," said Mixon.

Local 2 spoke with Mixon after he came home from the hospital more than a year and a half ago.

"I don't know why, what I went through, and the Lord has kept me for some reason," said Mixon.

A jury must now decide if Turner is to blame.

Closing arguments are Wednesday morning. The case is expected to be in the hands of the jury by 11 am.

Turner could face up to life in prison. Because of the nature of the crime, he would not be eligible for probation.