JACKSONVILLE —
Shady Grove Resident Jessie Antowan Smith, 41, was found guilty of murder in the Second Judicial District Court of Cherokee County April 27. A release from District Attorney Elmer Beckworth stated he was sentenced to 25 years confinement for the crime.
Beckworth added the jury also found Smith guilty of deadly conduct and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, each of which resulted in 10 years confinement in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Institutional Division.
Smith was represented by Allen Ross, who was assisted by Mike Kesler. The state was represented at trial by Beckworth and Assistant District Attorney Gordon LeMaire. Judge Dwight Phifer was the presiding judge.
Sheriff’s Department Cpt. Chris White said he is pleased with the outcome.
“We are glad to have that one behind us,” White said.
Lt. John Raffield said the incident in question dates back to Aug. 19, 2007, during a family reunion in the early hours of the morning.
“An individual called the sheriff’s office saying someone had been shot at a family reunion,” Raffield said. “One person was deceased at the scene; James Keon Jordan, 27.”
Raffield said a local home owner had come down to the family reunion to tell the gathering people to leave when gunfire broke out.
“Antowan confronted Keon and shot him in the neck,” Raffield said.
He added Smith had claimed the shot was in defense of another.
Raffield also said a jury member, who joined other members of the jury in the week-long case, noted the jury was deadlocked during final deliberations until Monday.
Local News
Smith guilty of murder
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