BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
Top Photo: Prattville City Councilman Marcus Jackson.
UPDATE: The EAN received the following statement from from Victoria D. Relf, of The Relf Law Firm, LLC:
(June 7) Today, the City of Prattville amicably resolved the matter against Mr. Jackson and his sister by dismissing the charges. These past two months have been very taxing on the family and on my clients. Although we believe wholeheartedly that the evidence would have exonerated Mr. Jackson and his sister of all wrongdoing had a trial gone forward, we are satisfied with the outcome today. My clients thank the City of Prattville for resolving this matter, and they now desire to focus on healing from this very traumatic experience.
Respectfully,
Victoria D. RelfAttorney & Counselor at Law
The Relf Law Firm, LLC
Original Article: Prattville Councilman Marcus Jackson was in the City’s Courtroom this morning, along with his sister and a cousin regarding charges from an incident at a family funeral/gathering in April.
Pending completion of an anger management course, a Menacing charge against Marcus Jackson will be dismissed with prejudice.
His sister, Marcia Jackson, and his cousin, Angela Keith, were charged with harassment. Their charges were also dismissed, with prejudice, after an agreement between all parties and their lawyers.
All three were placed on a mutual six month, no contact order by Judge Lynn Bright. The order is for direct or indirect communication, which includes mention of the other parties on social media.
Bright is the Millbrook Municipal Judge, but was brought in for this case as Marcus is a Prattville Councilman. David Vickers served as the special prosecutor. The City of Prattville was not involved in the agreement so as to remain impartial.
The original charges came after a fight at a family following a funeral in April of this year. At that gathering, an argument began concerning sympathy cards with money inside. Marcus Jackson was accused of coming to the gathering and pulling a loaded gun. When a family member tried to intervene, the gun fired into the ground but no one was hit. Marcus Jackson did receive injuries from a fall, and is recovering from a broken femur.
Several weeks later, a probable cause hearing was held to determine if there was enough evidence to bring charges, with Judge Bright issuing warrants for both Marcus and Marcia Jackson and Angela Keith.
The court date was set for today, but prior to it, an agreement was made between all parties and their attorneys that charges would be dismissed against all three with prejudice, as long as all they stay out of trouble, and obey the no contact order. They must also pay fines and/or court costs.
After Judge Bright made sure that all parties understood her expectations, she said she would like to see healing begin between the family members, and that they can move forward in peace.
Judge Bright said that the day the incident occurred was a sad day, but it could have been so much worse with a loaded gun involved. Many people were present, including children.
Bright told Marcus Jackson that bringing a gun and pulling it out was out of line and inappropriate. She said she hopes he has learned from this mistake.
“There are no winners or losers here today. This is family,” Judge Bright said before court ended.
