Breaking news….
09/07/20
Leroy Antoine Jackson has been released from custody and all charges have been dismissed.
Jackson , 19, was arrested while driving through Freehold on August 6 when a Freehold police officer noticed that Jackson’s Cadillac Escalade was weaving. When the officer saw that Jackson (of Mobile AL) was a Negro he advised Jackson that he was being detained for a narcotics investigation and immediately radioed for backup. Jackson was removed from the vehicle at gunpoint and detained while the vehicle was thoroughly searched. Police allegedly found nearly six pounds of crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia and two Tec-9 pistols.
Jackson was arraigned August 9th on multiple felony narcotics and weapons charges. On the advice of his attorney, Mark Horowitz, Mr. Jackson pled not guilty to all charges. Due to the severity of the charges and a convincing argument from the District Attorney that Negroes present a clear flight risk, bail was denied and Mr. Jackson remained in custody.
Trial began this morning at 8 AM at the Freehold Municipal Courthouse with the honorable Phillip Wallace presiding. To the surprise of everyone in the courtroom, Jackson’s defense team immediately moved that all charges be dismissed for lack of evidence. After conference with both attorneys in his chambers, Judge Wallace returned to the bench and granted the motion, dismissing all charges against Jackson and releasing him from custody.
The DA could not produce the evidence they claimed the police had in their evidence locker. Mr. Horowitz, interviewed afterward on the steps of the courthouse, had sharp words for the Freehold Police Department, “This vindication of my client proves beyond doubt that the Freehold police are incompetent and racist. Mr. Jackson has lost a month of his life, being jailed simply because of the color of his skin”.
Calls to the Iowa State Police confirmed that they have begun an investigation into whether the FPD ever had the evidence or if it was stolen from custody and sold for profit, suggesting possible police corruption. The arresting officer, Don Richards, had no comment and the Internal Affairs division of the FPD referred all inquiries to the Iowa State Police.
Leroy Antoine Jackson has been released from custody and all charges have been dismissed.
Jackson , 19, was arrested while driving through Freehold on August 6 when a Freehold police officer noticed that Jackson’s Cadillac Escalade was weaving. When the officer saw that Jackson (of Mobile AL) was a Negro he advised Jackson that he was being detained for a narcotics investigation and immediately radioed for backup. Jackson was removed from the vehicle at gunpoint and detained while the vehicle was thoroughly searched. Police allegedly found nearly six pounds of crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia and two Tec-9 pistols.
Jackson was arraigned August 9th on multiple felony narcotics and weapons charges. On the advice of his attorney, Mark Horowitz, Mr. Jackson pled not guilty to all charges. Due to the severity of the charges and a convincing argument from the District Attorney that Negroes present a clear flight risk, bail was denied and Mr. Jackson remained in custody.
Trial began this morning at 8 AM at the Freehold Municipal Courthouse with the honorable Phillip Wallace presiding. To the surprise of everyone in the courtroom, Jackson’s defense team immediately moved that all charges be dismissed for lack of evidence. After conference with both attorneys in his chambers, Judge Wallace returned to the bench and granted the motion, dismissing all charges against Jackson and releasing him from custody.
The DA could not produce the evidence they claimed the police had in their evidence locker. Mr. Horowitz, interviewed afterward on the steps of the courthouse, had sharp words for the Freehold Police Department, “This vindication of my client proves beyond doubt that the Freehold police are incompetent and racist. Mr. Jackson has lost a month of his life, being jailed simply because of the color of his skin”.
Calls to the Iowa State Police confirmed that they have begun an investigation into whether the FPD ever had the evidence or if it was stolen from custody and sold for profit, suggesting possible police corruption. The arresting officer, Don Richards, had no comment and the Internal Affairs division of the FPD referred all inquiries to the Iowa State Police.
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