Live coverage: Openings in Alexander Jackson murder trial

Jan. 13, 2023 8:45 am

Testimony begins Friday for a former University of Iowa student charged with killing his father, mother and sister on June 15, 2021.

Alexander Ken Jackson, 22, is on trial this week for three counts of first-degree murder. He is accused of fatally shooting his father, Jan Perry Jackson, 61; mother Melissa Ferne Jackson, 68; and sister Sabrina Hana Jackson, 19, in their northeast Cedar Rapids home that early morning.

Jackson called 911 at 8:23 a.m. that day and reported he and his father had been shot by a masked intruder.

When police arrived at the family home, 4414 Oak Leaf Ct. NE, they found each family member with gunshot injuries in different rooms in the house, according to a complaint. Investigators found no evidence of a forced entry or burglary.

The complaint did indicate a possible motive by stating Jackson denied shooting his family members but “admitted his father had recently advised that he needed to find a job or move out of the residence.”

The trial is expected to last nine days.