Daily News Podcast
Daily Newsletters
116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Trial for Cedar Rapids man accused of killing his family could be delayed
Lawyers may have a scheduling conflict with another murder case
Jul. 8, 2022 4:13 pm, Updated: Jul. 8, 2022 6:04 pm
Alexander Jackson leaves the court room following a hearing at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Friday, July 8, 2022. Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)
The Jackson home at 4414 Oak Leaf Ct. NE, Cedar Rapids, is sealed with caution tape June 15, 2021, after three family members were slain. Alexander Ken Jackson, 21, is accused in the slaying of his parents and sister and faces a delay in his trial in Linn County. (Gazette archives)
CEDAR RAPIDS — Lawyers for a 21-year-old Cedar Rapids man, accused in the slaying of his parents and sister last year, may ask the court for a new trial date because of scheduling conflicts.
The trial for Alexander Ken Jackson, a former University of Iowa student, was scheduled for Sept. 20, but one of his lawyers and a prosecutor in the case have a conflict with another murder trial that was just reset to Sept. 20 because the defendant demanded a speedy trial.
Alexander Ken Jackson, 21, of Cedar Rapids (Linn County Jail)
Tyler Johnston, one of Jackson’s lawyer, asked 6th Judicial District Chief Judge Lars Anderson if he could adjust dates or assign a different judge for the other murder trial, so Jackson’s trial could remain in September.
Johnston said still is trying to set up depositions in Jackson’s case and may still ask for a delay.
Anderson said he would review the trial schedule to see if anything can be adjusted.
In May, Anderson denied the defense’s request to move the trial out of Linn County because of extensive pretrial publicity. He ruled the media coverage hadn’t been “pervasive and inflammatory,” as the defense argued.
Jackson is charged with three counts of first-degree murder. He is accused of killing his father, Jan Jackson, 61; mother, Melissa Jackson, 68; and sister, Sabrina Jackson, 19.
Police were called about 8:30 a.m. June 15, 2021, to the Jackson home at 4414 Oak Leaf Ct. NE and found the three family members had been fatally shot, according to then criminal complaint.
Defense attorney Tyler Johnston talks with Alexander Jackson during a hearing at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Friday, July 8, 2022. Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)
Jackson, then 20, told police he had been awakened by gunfire and was shot in the foot as he struggled over a rifle with a masked intruder.
Investigators found no evidence of forced entry or burglary at the home, the complaint stated. They discovered a .22-caliber Browning semi-automatic rifle in the home that police think is the murder weapon.
Jackson said he and his father had left it on the fireplace after cleaning it the night before, according to the complaint.
Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com
