LINCOLN — The Nebraska Board of Pardons assembly Sept. 19 could also be one other alternative for freedom for Earnest Jackson.
Jackson, 40, has served greater than 20 years on the Nebraska State Penitentiary after being convicted of first-degree homicide. Jackson went by two trials and won’t be eligible for parole till 2029 — all for a killing that one other man has confessed to.
In 2000, Jackson was one among three individuals charged for the homicide of Lance Perry, an Omaha teenager. Jackson was 17 years previous on the time.
Jackson was the primary of the three youngsters who had been charged within the case to go to trial. Throughout his trial, Jackson argued that he was at his aunt’s home the evening the taking pictures occurred. Even so, Jackson was convicted and sentenced to life in jail.
Advertisement
After Jackson’s conviction, Shalamar Cooperrider, the second teenager tried within the case, confessed to taking pictures Perry however argued that it was in self-defense. The jury discovered Cooperrider not responsible. The third particular person charged within the homicide, Dante Chillous, was acquitted due to Cooperrider’s confession.
Even supposing Cooperrider had confessed to the taking pictures and in addition testified throughout his trial that Jackson was not current when the taking pictures occurred, Jackson was unable to get a brand new trial. The courtroom reasoned that the proof was not newly found — which might have triggered a brand new trial — however quite newly obtainable.
After a U.S. Supreme Courtroom ruling in 2012, all minors who had obtained a life sentence had been eligible for a brand new trial. In 2015, Earnest Jackson went to trial once more, however his conviction was upheld, and he was sentenced to 60-80 years in jail.
Brenda Jackson-Williams, Earnest Jackson’s mom, mentioned she remembers each trials as in the event that they had been yesterday. She says she felt a variety of feelings however by no means felt panicked, and he or she all the time believed that her son was harmless.
“I by no means felt the sense of hopelessness,” Brenda Jackson-Williams advised the Nebraska Examiner on Saturday. “I simply didn’t know when, however I knew Earnest was going to return dwelling.”
Advertisement
Jackson-Williams tried to boost as a lot consciousness about her son’s case as doable after the primary and second trials. She mentioned she was decided to battle what she perceived as a miscarriage of justice.
“We tried to unfold as a lot consciousness by phrase of mouth,” she mentioned. “I additionally tried to go to completely different information organizations, however a few of them didn’t need to have something to do with it.”
Alternatives for progress
Throughout Jackson’s incarceration, he has missed many life-changing occasions, together with the deaths of his brother, father and stepfather. Nevertheless, he met and married his spouse, Tracy, who has additionally advocated for his launch.
Though behind bars, Jackson mentioned in a phone interview from jail that he has sought out numerous academic alternatives over time. He mentioned getting his GED whereas serving his sentence gave him a way of taking again his energy. Earnest Jackson at his commencement ceremony. (Courtesy of the Jackson Household)
From there, he participated within the 7 Habits of Extremely Efficient Folks Signature Program. Upon completion, Earnest Jackson grew to become a facilitator for this system and started educating it to different inmates.
He then participated within the RISE Academy, a reentry program, and a Defy Ventures program that outfitted him with a business-ready diploma from the College of Nebraska at Omaha.
Advertisement
Earnest and Tracy Jackson say the upcoming Board of Pardons assembly offers them hope.
“The boy incarcerated in 2000, though unjustly, is just not the person that I’m in the present day,” Earnest Jackson mentioned.
Tracy Jackson is bracing for the listening to. “[I’m] anxious, nervous and afraid of the rejection once more,” she mentioned. “We’re hoping the Pardons Board does the correct factor.” From left, Brenda Jackson-Williams, Tracy Jackson, Earnest Jackson and Remee Greer at his commencement celebration. (Courtesy of the Jackson household)
Legislative invoice
Having the Pardons Board comply with a pardon in a homicide case could be uncommon. The final commutation for a homicide sentence in Nebraska occurred in April 2013. Laddie Dittrich, who obtained the commutation, was arrested and charged with sexual assault in November 2014. His parole was revoked shortly after. Gov. Pete Ricketts has cited that case in saying the board doesn’t need to make any extra errors.
The Nebraska Board of Pardons at the moment consists of Ricketts, Legal professional Basic Doug Peterson and Secretary of State Robert Evnen.
If the Board of Pardons turns down Earnest Jackson’s request, the Nebraska Legislature for doable reduction. State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha launched Legislative Invoice 28in the 2021 legislative session to “allow people to file motions for brand spanking new trials when new proof or materials is found, or new testimony has turn out to be obtainable that might not be produced at trial.”
Advertisement
The laws would have enabled Earnest Jackson to hunt a brand new trial and use Cooperrider’s confession as proof. The invoice was carried over, and late on this 12 months’s session, Wayne added it to a precedence invoice, however that invoice didn’t move. Wayne advised the Nebraska Examiner he plans to reintroduce the measure through the subsequent session. Neighborhood members maintain a gathering over advocacy for Earnest Jackson. (Courtesy of Abiola Kosoko)
Neighborhood assist
Earnest Jackson and his household have obtained a lot group assist over the past two years. SendEarnestHome.com and a Fb web page with the identical identify had been created to unfold consciousness about his case and encourage community advocacy for him.
A Change.org petition for Earnest Jackson to be pardoned has garnered nearly 61,000 signatures, and group activists have held a number of marches and rallies.
“It’s surreal,” Earnest Jackson mentioned concerning the group assist he has obtained. “These are issues that I see on TV and never issues that I see occurring round me.”
He mentioned he feels humbled by all of the group assist and needs to interrupt the stigma surrounding incarcerated individuals. He says that pardons are in place to present individuals a second likelihood at life, and he needs to be a constructive instance.
“I’m not somebody who’s coming on the market to tear down something in our group,” Earnest Jackson mentioned. “My factor I would like them to grasp about me is that I’m popping out with a coronary heart stuffed with love, compassion, understanding, and resolve to need to assist everybody.”
Nebraska Cornhuskers (12-3, 2-2 Big Ten) at Purdue Boilermakers (12-4, 4-1 Big Ten)
West Lafayette, Indiana; Sunday, 12 p.m. EST
Advertisement
BOTTOM LINE: Nebraska visits No. 20 Purdue after Brice Williams scored 28 points in Nebraska’s 97-87 overtime loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes.
The Boilermakers are 8-0 on their home court. Purdue has an 11-4 record against teams over .500.
The Cornhuskers are 2-2 in Big Ten play. Nebraska scores 77.5 points and has outscored opponents by 10.8 points per game.
Purdue’s average of 8.4 made 3-pointers per game this season is just 0.7 fewer made shots on average than the 9.1 per game Nebraska gives up. Nebraska scores 8.9 more points per game (77.5) than Purdue allows to opponents (68.6).
The Boilermakers and Cornhuskers face off Sunday for the first time in Big Ten play this season.
Advertisement
TOP PERFORMERS: Trey Kaufman-Renn is scoring 17.7 points per game with 6.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists for the Boilermakers.
Williams is scoring 19.4 points per game with 3.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists for the Cornhuskers.
LAST 10 GAMES: Boilermakers: 7-3, averaging 75.0 points, 29.9 rebounds, 16.5 assists, 6.2 steals and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting 47.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.1 points per game.
Cornhuskers: 8-2, averaging 77.9 points, 34.0 rebounds, 14.6 assists, 7.8 steals and 2.5 blocks per game while shooting 48.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 67.6 points.
___
Advertisement
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) – Friday, Senator Kathleen Kauth introduced Legislative Bill 89, or Stand with Women Act.
Sen. Kauth was joined by Governor Jim Pillen and advocates for the bill which aims to impact all schools, colleges, and state agencies.
Its expands portions of the Women’s Bill of Rights passed by Gov. Pillen through Executive Order in 2023.
If passed, LB 89 would create a definition of the male and female genders. It would also require people to use the bathroom and locker rooms according to that definition.
Advertisement
“Honestly, my heart just mostly breaks for the trans community because I believe a lot of them resorted to that community was because people weren’t listening when they were crying,” said Nebraska volleyball player Rebekah Allick.
“People weren’t listening when they were asking for help and they were confused. The questions is not what God condemns us for but is when we make those active decisions to defy him.”
The bill would also create restrictions for participation in sports. Prohibiting trans men and women from playing sports alongside the gender they identify with.
LB 89 would also require sports teams to adhere to its definition of what a male and female are when adding athletes to their rosters.
“We see those opposed to allowing men into women sports locker rooms, restrooms, and prisons, we see the people opposed to it as the problem. So, my question is just in how this short amount of time, how have we gotten to this extreme?” said Nebraska softball player Jordyn Bahl.
Advertisement
“I believe that a big part of the answer to that is just extremism across the board. There’s been extreme demand but there is also been extreme consequences for saying no to insanity that has been pushed upon us.”
ACLU of Nebraska Policy Director Scout Richters says the bill is a further escalation from the Sports and Spaces Act which failed last year.
“It will impact trans Nebraskans, if enacted it will impact them at any touch point they have with a government agency or in using identification that doesn’t correspond with their gender identity,” said Richters. “So, each of those things are harmful and damaging and again invites harassment and violence and attempts to erase those identities.”
She says every Nebraskan deserves to be themselves and bills like that undermine it. Richters worries it could lead to further attacks and discrimination against the trans community.
”As a woman it is very upsetting to have your identity as a women used to discriminate against a group of Nebraskans,” said Richters. “There are many other efforts and bills that could be enacted to improve the lives of women. So, to deem this bill what they’ve called it is very insulting and upsetting.”
Advertisement
Richters plans to continue educating voters as the bill continues to evolves.
Sen. Kauth says she doesn’t have the 33 votes she needs right now but believes she can get them.
LGBTQ+ advocacy group OutNebraska issued a statement about the proposed bill.
“LB89 goes way beyond the defeated Sports and Spaces Ban and escalates the potential dangers to our community,” said Abbi Swatsworth, executive director of OutNebraska. “The best approach to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all, both transgender and non-transgender people alike, is not LB89.”
George Norris charted a path for us with a vision of unity and fairness, but for the past 40 years, oligarchs and partisans have steered us astray, leaving us a nation divided.
As our forefathers warned, partisanship and money have poisoned our democracy. It’s time to reclaim Norris’ vision and re-embrace his philosophy.
John F. Kennedy, in a 1958 speech, lamented that biographers often focused on presidents and generals but should go “below the summit” and shine light on senators and party leaders who helped shape our history and heritage, but are largely forgotten. He specifically referenced George Norris.
The citizens of our country, and especially the citizens of Nebraska, often overlook what an extraordinary leader we were fortunate enough to have represent us. Norris served Nebraska in Congress and the Senate from 1903 to 1943.
Advertisement
A fierce independent, he dismantled the power of party bosses, most notably Speaker of the House Joe Cannon, who had been wielding near-dictatorial control over the U.S. House in the early 1900s. Norris’ actions helped create a more decentralized and democratic federal government.
As the architect of the 20th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, Norris shortened the “lame duck” period between elections, enhancing government efficiency and accountability. He also stood against war when it was deeply unpopular to do so. Norris was one of only six senators to vote against entering World War I, arguing that the war served corporate interests more than the cause of peace.
This courageous stance exemplified his willingness to stand alone for his principles, even when it was politically costly.
Norris is perhaps best known for his role in creating the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the Rural Electrification Administration (REA). These initiatives lifted poor and rural Americans from a near-medieval existence, ushering them into an electrified era that transformed their lives, work, and incomes. Norris took on powerful private utility interests to make these landmark achievements a reality.
Despite his legacy, Norris was a victim of political retribution. In the 1950s, 160 historians evaluated the greatest legislators in U.S. history, selecting five to be honored with permanent portraits in the U.S. Capitol.
Advertisement
Norris was ranked as the greatest senator, yet Nebraska’s Republican senators, Carl Curtis and Roman Hruska, blocked his inclusion due to his support for Franklin D. Roosevelt. This glaring injustice remains unaddressed, but there is hope it may someday be rectified.
Norris brought his philosophy of prioritizing the public good over party politics back to Nebraska when he championed the establishment of the state’s Unicameral Legislature in 1937. He argued that a single-house, nonpartisan Legislature would limit the influence of party politics while enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accountability.
He believed this system gave Nebraskans greater power and access to their representatives, driven by his conviction that the salvation of the state is in the watchfulness of the people.
Norris’ legacy is a powerful reminder of what it means to lead with courage and principle. He defied party lines, corporate interests, and popular opinion to champion democracy and the common good. Today, we see too few leaders fighting those same battles, nationally or within our state.
George Norris is not just a central figure in Nebraska’s history. He is a model of integrity and independence for the entire nation. His life and work deserve recognition and celebration. He exemplifies the profound impact one determined individual can have.
Advertisement
As we honor Norris this month, let us also follow his example and continue striving for a government that champions democracy, peace, and the common good. Now is the time to uphold his legacy and ensure our government remains by, of and for the people.
Wesley Dodge, an attorney with over 35 years of legal experience in Nebraska, serves on the Board of Directors for Common Cause Nebraska and Better Ballots Nebraska. He also heads a group called Represent Us Omaha. Dan Osborn is a Navy veteran, a former nonpartisan U.S. Senate candidate and a former labor union leader based in Omaha.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25822586/STK169_ZUCKERBERG_MAGA_STKS491_CVIRGINIA_A.jpg "Meta is highlighting a splintering global approach to online speech")
