By Hamilton Richardson
Elmore/Autauga News
A Prattville City Councilman and two members of his family have turned themselves in after warrants were issued for their arrest. They have been booked into the Autauga Metro Jail on various charges and since bonded out, confirmed by Autauga County Sheriff Joe Sedinger.
Angela Regina Keith was arrested for Harassment, Marcus Jackson was charged with Menacing, and Marcia Jackson was charged with Harassment.
Marcus Jackson’s attorneys have issued a statement concerning the charge, and it is below in this article.
The charges stem from an alleged fight at a funeral in early April, where a gun was discharged. There was reportedly an argument over sympathy cards containing money for the family.
A Probable Cause hearing was held May 13, with Millbrook Municipal Court Judge Lynn Bright overseeing this hearing. Because Marcus Jackson is a sitting councilman, this was done to bring in an impartial judge, sources told the EAN.
The hearing was to determine if there was enough evidence to move forward on charges. Judge Bright decided there was after hearing testimony, and warrants were issued for their arrests.
On Friday, May 13th, several witnesses met in a small room within Prattville City Hall to testify under oath about a physical alteration which occurred at an early April funeral involving Prattville City Councilman Marcus Jackson and other members of his family. In that room were Millbrook Municipal Judge Lynn Bright, David Vickers with The Law Offices of Vickers and White and Magistrate Terri Mathis.
As testified by witnesses, at the funeral a conflict broke out between people involved in the service reportedly over condolence cards, which then allegedly resulted in an all-out physical altercation. Jackson’s mother and sister were reportedly involved, either verbally or physically, in the conflict, along with others, although it is unclear which party started the fight.
During the altercation, it was also reported that Jackson came toward the group involved in the fight holding a handgun. At some point, the handgun was discharged, although no one was hurt as it reportedly fired into the ground. There are conflicting stories as to how the handgun was discharged and what took place right before that occurred. Some witnesses said that Jackson held the handgun in the air and cocked it before yelling threats, while others said he held the gun at his side and did not threaten anyone.
It was also testified that members of Jackson’s family supposedly wrestled the gun away from him and in the resulting situation, Jackson’s leg was broken.
As a result of the testimony of witnesses, warrants were eventually issued for people involved in the fight, including a warrant for Menacing for Councilman Jackson.
Official statement from attorneys for Councilman Marcus Jackson. It was sent to the EAN by Attorney Victoria Relf:
“Councilman Jackson and his family are the true victims in this matter, and he vehemently denies the allegations made against him. The accuser is no victim at all, and we are confident that the evidence will prove as much. Councilman Jackson’s family was gathered together to grieve the loss of their loved one when the accuser verbally and physically attacked the Councilman’s elderly mother and his sister; and in this state, Councilman Jackson has a protected right to defend his mother and sister from imminent physical harm.
“We find it very curious that the accuser’s first instinct was not to call law enforcement but was to call the local media and make defamatory social media posts. Sadly, the accuser chose to physically attack her own family during what should have been a moment of peace and unity in celebration of the impeccable legacy and life’s work of the Councilman’s dearest uncle—the accuser’s own father. Instead of celebrating her father’s life and legacy, the accuser left behind a trail of chaos and trauma. She has now set out on a path to destroy the good name of Councilman Jackson and his family with no regard for how the disruption and confusion she’s created will impact the community.
“As an American, the Councilman will always support the right of any law-abiding citizen to exercise his or her Second Amendment rights; we hope that the community will offer him the same support. Therefore, the Councilman looks forward to his day in court so that multiple eyewitnesses will tell the truth and Councilman Jackson will be acquitted of this charge.”
