Man accused of attacking his mother allegedly attacked an elderly man

WDSU is learning new details about the man accused of attacking his mother with a chainsaw, injuring two New Orleans police officers. John Pittman, 34, appeared in court Tuesday afternoon. Prosecutors said Pittman is free on bail and will face charges related to a second attack that occurred less than a year ago. Court documents show Pittman was arrested in August 2023 for punching an elderly man at Union Passenger Station. According to the documents, someone called for help in the station’s restroom, and when an Amtrak security officer responded, that person yelled for them to stop Pittman. According to the documents, “the Amtrak security officer said that as they approached Mr. Pittman clenched his fist and verbally communicated to them, ‘I just want to go home.'” The documents also said a white man, identified as Dale Ball, was lying on his back with a medium-sized pool of blood under his head. That document goes on to say Ball suffered a laceration to the back of his head. Pittman, now accused of a gruesome attack on his mother, is charged with attempted premeditated murder. His attorney, Garron Johnson, said his client suffers from mental health issues. “This is more of a mental health issue than a criminal issue. Until we start addressing these types of issues in the city, we’re going to continue to have incidents like this here,” Johnson said. The Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office released new details about the attack on Pittman’s mother, saying her arm was only attached to her body by skin and hair. Then it called him a danger to the community and those around him. WDSU has also learned that Pittman is a graduate of Xavier University and has worked as a pharmacy technician for Walgreens. Photos from a 2012 Xavier University yearbook show him at Homecoming Court and Senior Class Council. “I can tell you that I’ve spoken to his parents and they are fully supportive of their son. There is a possibility that his side of the story regarding his mental illness will play a role in his defense,” Johnson said. Pittman’s bonds for both cases are now over $1,300,000 and his attorney said they expected a high bond but their focus is on his health. “Our biggest issue is not the amount of bond; our biggest issue is making sure he gets back to mental health,” Johnson said. Pittman is now charged with attempted premeditated murder, battery on a police officer, resisting an officer and disarming a peace officer. Pittman has been ordered to have no contact with his mother and if released on bond, he will be placed on an ankle monitor. Pittman is scheduled to appear in court again on Thursday, July 25, to attend a mental competency hearing.