The father of a Norcross teen who was killed during a home invasion in February appeared in court for a bond hearing on Monday morning. Nicholas Jackson, Sr. faces federal charges in a separate case, and during the hearing prosecutors revealed troubling news about the night his son was killed.
Prosecutors said Monday that the Jackson family's Norcross home was targeted in the deadly home invasion because Jackson, Sr. is an established Atlanta cocaine dealer. They told the judge that two of the seven men arrested in the home invasion and murder of Nicholas Jackson, Jr. are cooperating with the government.
"We had suspicions that are now somewhat confirmed, the fact that the home invaders believed that because of the father's drug connections, that there was money and drugs in the house," said Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter.
According to prosecutors, the family's house was selected because it was known that Jackson, Sr., 38, kept $1 million in cash and 50 kilograms of cocaine in his basement. That's where his 15-year-old son was shot in the heart by intruders.
Jackson, Jr. was a former valedictorian and football player at Norcross High School.
Porter said that $19,000 in cash was found in the suspects' getaway van after the murder.
"The father said it was not his, but given the circumstances of how it was discovered and the packaging of the money – it was in a briefcase – we believe it was proceeds of his business," said Porter.
Jackson was not cooperative with authorities on the night of his son's shooting, Porter said.
"He had his attorney come by, he would not speak to police in any great detail," said Porter.
At the time of the shooting, the elder Jackson was under federal investigation for his alleged connection to a Mexican cocaine operation.
Federal investigations are searching for Darren Dunlap, who they say was Jackson, Sr.'s right hand man in the drug operation.
The judge denied Jackson, Sr. bond. The Jackson family was at the hearing, but they declined to comment.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:48 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:48:00 GMT
Local families are taking a serious look at storm shelters in the aftermath of Monday's deadly tornado in Oklahoma.
Local families are taking a serious look at storm shelters in the aftermath of Monday's deadly tornado in Oklahoma. Those shelters could mean the difference between life and death when faced with one of these powerful storms.
A federal court has struck down Fayette County's at-large method of electing members to certain county offices, saying the method was a violation of the Voting Rights Act.
A federal court has struck down Fayette County's at-large method of electing members to certain county offices, saying the method was a violation of the Voting Rights Act.
Two Clark Atlanta University students who call themselves brothers despite being from opposite sides of the world have graduated as valedictorian and salutatorian.
Two Clark Atlanta University students who call themselves brothers despite being from opposite sides of the world have graduated as valedictorian and salutatorian.
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