Execution Report: James Jackson

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A jury convicted Jackson of the murders of Sonceria and Ericka Jackson in January 1998 and sentenced him to death. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the conviction and sentence in December 2000. All of his subsequent appeals in state and federal court were denied.

In an interview from death row the week before his execution, Jackson denied committing the murders. He said that he spent that entire evening out, gambling and getting high, and did not come home. He also said his wife had no plans to end their relationship. Jackson said that the note he left behind was a prayer, written weeks earlier, asking God to protect his family. His lawyers said that his confession was coerced.

In the interview, Jackson also said that he was relieved that his appeals were exhausted, and that he was ready to face God. "I'm gonna embrace it with open arms because I'm tired of this place," he said, "and I just want to be reunited with my family."

Jackson's siblings and friends attended his execution. None of the victim's family were present. Jackson smiled as his guests entered the viewing room. "This is not the end, but the beginning of a new chapter," Jackson said to them in his final statement. "I love you all. See you on the other side." Jackson also referred to Harris County as Sodom and Gomorrah, two ancient cities that God destroyed by fire, according to the book of Genesis. His last words were, "Warden, murder me." The lethal injection was then started. Jackson laughed at a sign language gesture made by one of his guests, made a gurgling sound, and died. He was pronounced dead at 6:18 p.m.

By David Carson. Posted on 8 February 2007.
Sources: Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Attorney General's office, Houston Chronicle, Huntsville Item.