A Lancaster man who acted as his own attorney won himself acquittal Friday on an assault charge.

Frederick Jackson, 42, had been charged by city police in December with simple assault for allegedly wielding a samurai sword during an argument with a former girlfriend.

Jackson defended himself at the two-day jury trial that ended late Friday. The legal term for doing so is pro se, Latin for "on one's own behalf."

"This doesn't happen very often. You do not get a not guilty verdict for a pro se client," said defense attorney Cory J. Miller. Miller had been appointed by the court as standby counsel.

Miller said Jackson has no education but used strategies he learned from past court hearings.

Jackson has a lengthy criminal record, including three prior convictions of simple assault. He has never represented himself at trial before.

"He's Joe Blow off the street," Miller said. "He was opening, closing, and he asked all questions of witnesses. And he did testify."

Jurors agreed with Jackson that he had carried the sword toward the woman, but he had no intent to use it as a deadly weapon.

Jackson had made threats toward the woman earlier in the day, so she called police after he walked upstairs toward her, sword in hand, according to testimony.

Jackson argued that he didn't even see the woman as he walked up the stairs, so he had no criminal intent.

Jackson often slept with the sword for protection, according to testimony.

Jurors deliberated almost two hours before returning the not guilty verdict.

Jackson has been at Lancaster County Prison since his Dec. 26 arrest. He remains there, Miller said, because he violated probation by being arrested. He allegedly damaged a holding cell after the arrest, resulting in a charge of institutional vandalism.

Hearings on those two matters are pending.

"It's an uncommon victory," Miller said. "Obviously, Mr. Jackson has no legal experience. He used purely what he's learned" in prior cases.

E-mail: bhambright@lnpnews.com