A Jackson man was denied bond in his initial court appearance Thursday after being charged with murder in the death of a Vicksburg native, a Jackson police spokesman said.

Donavon Brown, 37, a resident of a group home at 251 Mikell St., appeared in Jackson Municipal Court, said public information officer Colendula Green.

He is accused of striking Johnny Brown, 24, in the head following an argument Monday at the home, Green said.

Hinds County Coroner Sharon Grisham-Stewart said Johnny Brown, no relation to the accused, died of blunt force trauma to the head around 7 p.m. An autopsy confirmed the finding, Grisham-Stewart said.

“He was a fun, loving and special person,” said Mary Turner, Johnny Brown’s mother. “He was truly an angel.”

Turner said her son had suffered brain damage as a baby when he contracted spinal meningitis. He had attended Vicksburg High School and also a special needs program in Brookhaven, she said. Johnny Brown moved to another facility in Jackson last year, and then to the Mikell Street group home following brain surgery in May.

Turner said investigators told her that her son had intervened when Donavon Brown threatened the caretaker at the home and was struck a few minutes later in the back of his head with a heavy glass mug.

“He just hated it when someone would do something to a hurt a lady or a child,” Turner said.

Before moving to Jackson, Johnny Brown had worked for MIDD-West Industries in Vicksburg for about six months, doing odd jobs, cleaning and sorting recyclables, said Turner. “He wanted a normal life,” she said.

He was a member of Faith Christian Center and had been baptized as a young teen.

In addition to his mother, he leaves a 1-year old daughter, three sisters and one brother.

His funeral is scheduled for Sunday in Vicksburg.