Attorneys for UI student accused of killing his family ask for trial delay

Hunter
02/28/22

Attorneys for the University of Iowa student accused in the shooting deaths of his parents and sister are asking that his April 5th trial be delayed.

The Gazette reports that Alexander Jackson’s lawyers told 6th Judicial District Chief Judge Lars Anderson that the previously set trial date of April 5 wasn’t possible because they just recently received all the discovery from the prosecution and needed to schedule depositions. Jackson waived his right to appear and did not attend the hearing.

His attorneys also said they would be asking for a change of venue and Jackson would waive his right to have a trial within a year of the triple-homicide.

Judge Anderson told defense and prosecution lawyers that the next date for trial that gets set will be last.

The 21-year-old Jackson is accused of killing his father Jan, his mother Melissa and sister Sabrina on June 15th. He told authorities that he was awakened by gunfire and was shot in the foot, but police found no evidence of forced entry or burglary. A prosecutor said that Jackson made up the story to cover up his actions.

Jackson is in the Linn County Jail on a $3 million cash-only bail.