June 15, 2024 • 34 mins
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What could possibly drive a young man to commit an unimaginable act against his own family? On our one-year anniversary episode of Crime Connoisseurs, we unravel the perplexing case of the Jackson family murders in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. We start with the chilling 911 call from Alexander Jackson, who claimed an intruder had broken into their Oakleaf Court Northeast home and fatally shot his parents and sister. Yet, as inconsistencies in his account mounted and forensic evidence painted a different picture, suspicion turned inward. With detailed discussions on the initial police response and the dark secrets within the Jackson family, we question the true narrative behind this gruesome tragedy.
Joining us is Dr. Kelly Cruz, the Associate State Medical Examiner, whose expert testimony on the fatal injuries sustained by Jan, Melissa, and Sabrina Jackson provides crucial insights into the case. The defense asserts that Alex Jackson is a victim, emphasizing his own gunshot wound and the supposed home invasion. But the prosecution challenges this narrative, highlighting potential staging of the 911 call and damning forensic findings. Through gripping courtroom exchanges and a look at hidden family tensions, we piece together a comprehensive look at one of Cedar Rapids' most shocking cases.
Source Material: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Jr6V04lVr1quNCwtM9qloCIDi4nyk_dngbs1PipN0YY/edit?usp=sharing
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Emergency.
Someone broke into our house.
Our address is 4414 OakleafCourt, north East.
I've been shot.
My other family has been shot.
I need help immediately.
Okay, I'm getting Cedar Rapidson the line here.
I've been shot in the foot.
(00:21):
Okay, sir, stay in the foot.
Okay, sir, sir, stay on theline.
It would be nice to beanswering.
Give them the address rightaway 911,.
What's the address of theemergency?
4414 Oakleaf Court, northeast.
Okay, what's going on?
Someone broke in.
Okay, I've been shot.
You've been shot, I've been shot.
(00:42):
Okay, hold on just a second.
Are they still there?
No, they left.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Welcome back Crime Connoisseurs.
I'm your host, grace D, and no,you're not losing it.
Today is Saturday.
I know what you're thinking.
Wait a minute.
What's going on?
We just got a case three daysago and you're right on that.
But today is a special day.
Today is one year of crimeconnoisseurs.
(01:12):
So to celebrate the special day, I have a chilling case that
happened just three years agotoday and you get to listen
ad-free.
And you get to listen ad-freeWe'll be discussing the shocking
case of a triple family murder.
The murders left anunforgettable mark on the small
community in Iowa where theheinous crimes took place.
(01:35):
This is the case of the Jacksonfamily.
(02:22):
We'll be right back To graspthe full scope of the tragedy.
It is imperative to firstunderstand the background of the
Jackson family.
The family consisted of Jan andMelissa Jackson, their son
Alexander, alex and theirdaughter Sabrina, as well as
their extended family membersliving in a quaint house on the
outskirts of the small town.
Known for their tight-knitnature, the Jacksons were active
(02:45):
members of the community,involved in local events and
widely regarded as a lovingfamily.
On a seemingly ordinary day inthe quiet town of Cedar Rapids,
iowa, first responders wouldrespond to a scene that was
anything but ordinary.
(03:05):
The ferocity of the crime shookthe very foundations of the
small town.
As details of the investigationbegan to emerge, authorities
were faced with a complex web ofevidence that pointed to a
potential suspect.
Web of evidence that pointed toa potential suspect.
The killer's motive remainedunclear, leaving many to
(03:34):
speculate on the possiblereasons behind such a heinous
act.
The community came together tomourn the loss of the Jackson
family, holding candlelightvigils and fundraisers to
support the remaining familymembers.
The tragedy sparked aconversation about the
importance of mental healthawareness and the need for
tighter security measures inresidential areas.
(03:56):
As the investigation into theJackson family murders continued
, questions lingered about theperpetrator's identity and the
possibility of justice beingserved.
The case remains a chillingreminder of the dark side of
human nature and the devastatingimpact it can have on innocent
(04:18):
lives.
On June 15, 2021, alexanderJackson called 911, saying that
he and another member of hisfamily had been shot and he
needed help to the family'sOakleaf Court Northeast home.
You heard a brief clip of that911 call.
(04:44):
In the beginning of thisepisode, he told the dispatcher
on the call that an intruder hadbroken into their home and that
he was shot in the foot.
The dispatcher asked himseveral times who all was in the
house with him and if they wereokay.
Jackson seemed to have adifficult time answering the
questions, but it was assumedthat he was in shock between the
(05:07):
break-in and being shot.
The call lasted 15 minutes.
When police arrived at the homeat 8.31 am they found Jackson on
the floor with a gunshot woundto his foot.
Someone had shot his father,jan Jackson, five times.
(05:29):
Officers, while evaluating theshocking scene, asked Jackson if
anyone else was home.
He said yes, his sister,sabrina, was in her room.
They asked if she was okay andhe responded.
Quote I think so.
End quote.
(05:50):
When three officers entered theback basement door, they saw
Jan Jackson on the floor near asofa with blood on his mouth and
body.
They realized that he was dead.
Police asked Jackson about theintruder and what had happened.
(06:11):
He began telling the officers asimilar version of events that
he told the dispatcher, exceptthe story had inconsistencies
from the start.
The dispatcher asked him morethan once to describe the
intruder who had shot him.
Jackson could only describe thesuspect as a black male wearing
(06:34):
black clothing and green shoes.
Jackson claimed he was sleepingon the family's porch when he
heard gunshots and saw theintruder.
The intruder allegedly shotJackson in the foot.
Police searched the home toclear the scene, not knowing
(06:55):
where the supposed intruder went.
They didn't find any forcedentry or signs of a struggle and
things seemed to be in place.
While searching the home, theofficers not only found Jan
deceased but also his wifeMelissa and their daughter
(07:15):
Sabrina, all in separatebedrooms with gunshot injuries.
They were all dead, leavingAlex Jackson as the sole
survivor of his family.
The family was shot with a .22caliber semi-automatic rifle
found in the house.
Police found numerous shellcasings in the house from the
(07:37):
unique Browning rifle that canfire 11 bullets without having
to reload.
Jackson told the police that heand his dad were cleaning it
the night before.
As investigators dug deeperinto the case, they uncovered a
web of secrets and hiddenresentments within the Jackson
family.
Jackson became the primesuspect and the evidence against
(08:01):
him was mounting.
But what could have driven aseemingly ordinary young man to
commit such a heinous crime?
Surveillance footage from bothneighbors' homes and the Jackson
residence showed no oneentering or leaving the murder
scene.
Investigators Matt Denlingerand Sarah Lucina grilled Jackson
(08:24):
for hours at the hospital whenhe was being treated for the
gunshot injury to his foot.
They also spoke with him in ashort interview later that night
at the police department toldJackson numerous times they
(08:47):
didn't believe his version ofevents that a masked male
intruder with dark clothes andgreen shoes came into the
Jackson home at 4414 Oak LeafCourt, northeast, during the
early morning hours, shot hisdad, mom and sister and then
shot him in the foot during astruggle over the .22-caliber
semi-automatic rifle thatbelonged to the Jacksons.
(09:09):
During the recorded interview,lucina said quote.
There's no proof of anyonecoming and going from your house
.
End quote.
She told Jackson, if there wasno connection between the family
and the alleged intruder and hewas just coming in to murder
(09:31):
people because nothing wasstolen, then he would have to
get lucky to find a house with agun he could use to commit the
crime.
She said quote.
You can't sit there and look mein the eye and tell me that's
what happened end quote.
However, jackson did just thatthroughout the interviews.
(09:52):
He also didn't exactly answertheir questions.
For a decent amount of theinterview Both investigators
were empathetic about thefrustrations of bad grades,
father's expectations and otherfamily issues.
They asked if he might behaving anxiety, mental health or
(10:14):
sexual orientation issues orbad thoughts, jackson.
They were just trying to figureout what happened and wanted to
give him an opportunity to talkbecause there was no evidence
of forced entry into the houseand no evidence of an unknown
intruder.
Lucina said they wanted tounderstand because something bad
(10:38):
happened and they weren't thereto
judge him.
Jackson had been given fentanylfor pain but was coherent and
he said nothing happened.
He was close to his family.
They had dinner that night andwatched a movie.
He and his dad had cleaned therifle that night because the
(11:00):
last time they used it the gunjammed.
Jackson said he was sleeping onthe screened-in porch and woke
up to the sound of about 10gunshots.
He ran downstairs and saw theintruder and then his dad on the
floor.
He started wrestling the manfor the gun and he was shot in
(11:20):
the foot.
He described the intruder as ablack male wearing all black and
green shoes as a black malewearing all black and
green shoes.
At one point Jackson said hedidn't know if he shot himself
during the struggle, meaning hemay have been the one who pulled
the trigger, or if the intruderdid it.
Jackson said he thought theintruder ran out and he crawled
(11:41):
to his basement bedroom to gethis phone to call 911 and found
a belt to use as a tourniquet tostop the bleeding.
He said he saw his sister inthe bed.
The door to her bedroom thatwas next to his was open, but he
didn't know if she was hurt.
Denlinger said everyone wasshot in the head except him,
(12:05):
which quote makes no sense atall.
End quote.
Jackson said quote, I didn't doit, okay.
End quote.
Lacena said it looked likeJackson had killed his entire
family in cold blood, without anexplanation.
Jackson said he wanted the guyfound.
Lucina told Jackson quote, wefound him.
(12:27):
End quote.
He responded quote, you did, itwasn't me.
End quote.
The investigators also met withJackson at the department after
his treatment at the hospitalafter 8 pm on June 15th and
attempted one more time to findout what happened that morning.
Demlinger told him they hadreviewed the videos from the
(12:52):
surveillance cameras at his homeand the neighbor's home and
none of them showed anyonecoming or going from the house.
But Jackson stuck to his story.
Lucina then told him he wasn'tgoing home.
He was being charged with threecounts of first-degree murder.
Jackson was booked on the threecounts of first-degree murder
(13:17):
that night the same day that themurders happened at the Lynn
County Jail.
The following day, he made abrief initial court appearance
and bail was set at$3 million.
This case marked the firstknown triple homicide in Cedar
Rapids since 1982 and only thesecond since at least 1959,
(13:43):
according to Cedar Rapids PoliceDepartment spokesman Greg Bulow
.
According to Cedar RapidsPolice Department spokesman Greg
Bulow, the trial that followedwas a media sensation, with the
small town of Iowa captivated bythe proceedings.
The prosecution presented acompelling case, highlighting
the motive, the forensicevidence and the testimonies of
(14:04):
witnesses.
On the other hand, the defenseargued that there was
insufficient evidence to proveJackson's guilt beyond a
reasonable doubt.
The trial began on January 10,2023, and presented a series of
forensic evidence that painted adamning picture.
The prosecution highlighted thecomplexity of reloading the
(14:29):
Browning rifle, arguing it wasunlikely a random intruder could
have operated it without priorexperience.
They also pointed out Jackson'slack of attempts to check on
his mother and his sister duringthe 911 call, suggesting he
knew they were already deadduring the 911 call, suggesting
(14:51):
he knew they werealready dead.
During the trial, theprosecution argued that Alex
Jackson was the perpetrator ofthe triple homicide.
The main points of their caseincluded the lack of forced
entry, gunshot residue,inconsistent statements and
motive.
Prosecutors suggested thatJackson was struggling
academically and feared hisfather would force him to move
(15:14):
out or get a job.
At the time of the murders,jackson reportedly only had
about $30 to his name, adding tohis potential desperation,
despite his achievements likebecoming an Eagle Scout and a
seemingly normal upbringing.
The prosecution suggested thatJackson's fear of independence
(15:36):
and academic failures could havedriven him to commit the
unthinkable.
When police arrived on thescene, there was no signs of
forced entry or any indicationthat the home had been
burglarized, suggesting to themthat the perpetrator was someone
within the household.
Investigators tested forgunshot residue and revealed
(16:01):
residue was found on Jackson'shands, indicating that he had
recently fired a gun.
Jackson's account of the eventschanged multiple times during
police interviews.
Furthermore, forensic analysisrevealed two palm prints on the
murder weapon belonging toJackson, as well as an
(16:21):
unidentifiable partial Bloodsplatter.
Analysis indicated Jackson hadshot himself near his bed, not
in the downstairs living room ashe claimed.
Associate State MedicalExaminer, dr Kelly Cruz,
performed the autopsies on JanMelissa and Sabrina Jackson.
(16:43):
Dr Cruz said Jan Jackson hadfive gunshot wounds to his chest
area, neck and the back of hishead.
The gunshots injured his brainand other vital organs, and each
individual shot could have beenfatal.
The cause of death was multiplegunshot wounds.
(17:04):
Jan also had a blunt forceinjury and a laceration to his
face and inside his lower lip,which could have been from
falling to the floor afterbeing shot.
Melissa Jackson died from twogunshot injuries to her head.
She had one next to her lefteye and another to the right
(17:27):
temple area.
The gunshot to her eye wasfired at close range, which left
soot to indicate that the gunwas fired inches from her head.
Both gunshots to her headentered her dura and brain.
Either injury could have beenfatal.
Sabrina also died from multiplegunshot injuries.
(17:51):
She had one to the left side ofher torso which exited through
her arm, and another shot to herleft eye.
The torso shot entered herabdominal cavity, injuring her
liver, and exited her frontstomach area.
The gunshot to her eye injuredher brain.
(18:11):
Dr Cruz said that there was nosoot or stifling in the wounds,
so the gun wasn't fired at closerange.
Each of her injuries could havebeen fatal, but the one to her
eye would have been morerapidly fatal.
During Dr Cruz's testimony onthe autopsies, jackson never
(18:35):
looked at the television screensin the courtroom.
He mostly looked down at anotepad in front of him.
The defense maintained thatJackson consistently claimed
innocence and that he was avictim of the home invasion and
questioned the reliability ofthe surveillance footage and
forensic interpretations.
(18:56):
They also pointed to anunidentified third fingerprint
on the rifle as a potential clueto another suspect.
They argued his injurycharacter and the lack of
direct evidence.
Jackson's gunshot wound to hisfoot was presented as evidence
(19:17):
that he was attacked and avictim, not the perpetrator.
The defense also painted apicture of Jackson as a
non-violent, academicallyinclined young man with no
history of violent behavior.
They emphasized the absence ofdirect evidence such as
eyewitness testimonies ordefinitive proof linking Jackson
(19:41):
to the murders beyondreasonable doubt.
Reasonable doubt the recordingof Jackson's 911 call was a
pivotal piece of evidence usedby both sides to support their
narratives.
The prosecution suggested itwas a calculated act, while the
defense portrayed it as agenuine call for help.
(20:01):
We started off with part of thecall, but remember it was 15
minutes long.
Take a listen to some part ofthe call, but remember it was 15
minutes long.
Speaker 1 (20:12):
Take a listen to some more of the call.
Hello Alex, yep, I'm coming.
I'm just talking on the radiotoo, okay, okay, do you remember
what color shirts or what colorhair that guy had Anything
about him?
Um, black.
Do you think it was a blackmale or a black shirt?
(20:34):
Okay, was it a long gun or wasit a short gun like a handgun?
A long gun?
It was a long gun Like a riflestyle.
Yes, okay, okay.
Yes, he says he's Okay.
(21:00):
I've got them coming rightthere on Oakleaf Court, so
they're almost there, okay whereare you in the?
house.
Alex, downstairs, you're in thelower level.
Okay, my room, in your room.
(21:22):
Okay, are you able to meet themat the back door?
Are you able to walk?
If not, just stay in your room.
I'm in my room.
(21:53):
Okay, Alex Is that back doorstill wide open, maybe?
Yeah, okay, I'm going a second.
(22:33):
No, just you and your sister inthe house, right?
Yeah, no, parents orgrandparents, animals.
My mom's here too.
Your mom is there too, yeah,okay.
So you, your sister and yourmom is there too, yeah, okay.
So you, your sister and yourmom yeah, oh, my gosh,
(23:07):
no-transcript.
Well, I don't see them.
Okay, that's fine.
I just want to make sure that.
Have you seen?
Speaker 2 (23:14):
your mom.
Speaker 1 (23:16):
Do you hear it ringing?
Yeah, the house number'sringing, yeah, okay, well,
that's us calling.
We're trying to get a hold ofsister or mom just to make sure
they're safe.
I've got officers all aroundthe house.
(23:36):
I just want to make sure that Ikeep you on the line, okay?
Nobody's answering that housephone.
Are you sure?
Anybody's home?
They took me, okay, the sister.
Did your sister have a cellphone?
Yeah, do you know her number byheart?
(24:01):
Do you know that?
No, okay, you're doing good,alex.
Alex, do you have any weaponsdownstairs, any guns, knives,
anything like that?
No, but there's a gun on thefloor.
(24:24):
That's not yours, it's ours,but we got shot by it.
So he took your gun and shotyou.
Yes, okay, hold on just asecond.
Speaker 2 (24:37):
Let me make sure I tell my officers this Hold on.
The call continued to go onlike that in a similar manner,
from Alex not directly answeringthe dispatcher's questions and
her having to ask the samequestions over and over.
To get a full picture for theofficers coming in, I'll have
(24:58):
the YouTube videos linked of thetrial that it was all recorded
all six days of it in the shownotes.
After listening to more of thecall, do you lean more towards
the prosecution's theory of itbeing calculated or the
defense's theory of himgenuinely calling for help?
In closing arguments, theprosecutor stated that Jackson
(25:23):
had never called for his mom orsister while on the line with
911 to check on them, sayingthat it was because he knew they
were dead and not just injured.
She also mentioned that bloodsplatter found near Jackson's
bed, suggested that he'd shothimself there, not where he
claimed that he encountered anintruder in the downstairs
(25:46):
living room.
The prosecutor stressed that acrime scene investigator had
said the rifle would haverequired reloading during the
murders.
However, she stated that theBrowning's unique reloading
process made it unlikely for afirst-time user like a random
intruder who would have beenable to accomplish this.
(26:07):
However, people who lived inthe house, who had experience
with the gun would have knownthe intricacies.
During the trial, there wastestimony from an investigator
with years of firearms trainingwho had stated that the firearm
was so unique to Lode they hadto search online for a video
(26:29):
tutorial to learn how to do so.
Online for a video tutorial tolearn how to do so.
On January 25, 2023, afterdeliberating for five and a half
hours over the course of twodays, the jury had reached a
verdict.
Alexander Jackson was foundguilty on three counts of
(26:49):
first-degree murder.
Members of the Jackson familywere in court throughout the
trial and hear the verdict Underthese charges.
Iowa law mandates a lifesentence.
Because of what they describedas the heinous and brutal nature
of the murders, the prosecutorsasked Judge Anderson to impose
(27:12):
the life sentences consecutively.
After the verdict was read,jackson seemed to have little to
no emotion.
First Assistant Lynn CountyAttorney Monica Slaughter told
People quote he didn't blinkwhen they read those verdicts
the most stoic face I've everseen.
End quote.
(27:33):
The Gazette reported Jan'ssister, kay Jackson and her
daughter Danielle JacksonParsons said in the statement
after the guilty verdict quoteAlex wanted the world to think
he was a victim of thishorrendous crime, but we know
that is not the case and noweveryone knows the truth of what
(27:55):
happened.
That day, alex murdered threemembers of our family and that
pain will never go away.
Jan 2023, jackson was sentencedto three consecutive life terms
(28:21):
without the possibility ofparole for the murders of his
parents, jan and Melissa, andhis sister, sabrina.
Jackson showed no emotionduring the sentencing and no
family members gave victimimpact statements.
He was also ordered to pay$150,000 in restitution to the
(28:44):
estates or heirs of his parentsand sister.
However, jackson's defense hasasked for a new trial, citing
alleged misconduct from thejurors in the case.
According to court documents, ajuror said they'd heard other
jurors discussing the case.
Documents.
(29:05):
A juror said they'd heard otherjurors discussing the case
Before the jury found Jacksonguilty.
A juror allegedly said Jacksonwas quote guilty as sin.
End quote.
The prosecutor, monicaSlaughter, pushed back and said
many of the defense's concernscame up during jury selection
and the court addressed them.
She said they removed severaljurors from the pool because
they knew too much about thecase.
(29:27):
When given a chance to speak incourt, jackson declined.
Some Jackson family memberswere in the courtroom for the
sentencing but did not givevictim impact statements.
Victim impact statements.
(29:47):
Judge Anderson denied thedefense's request for a new
trial.
The aftermath of the Jacksonfamily murders served as a stark
reminder of the fragility oflife and the importance of
cherishing every moment withloved ones.
The sense of unity that emergedfrom the tragedy was a
testament to the resilience ofthe human spirit in the face of
unimaginable loss.
One of Sabrina Jackson's formerKennedy High School teachers
(30:12):
has established a scholarshipfund in her name.
The scholarship supports travelexpenses for Kennedy students
interested in participating inthe annual school-sponsored trip
to Japan, which Sabrinaattended.
Donations to the fund can bemade to the Cedar Rapids
Community Schools Foundation,with Sabrina H Jackson Memorial
(30:36):
Scholarship being titled underthe Tribute Name section.
I will have the link to thedonation page in the source
material.
The case generated significantpublic interest.
Given his background, someviewed Jackson's actions as an
anomaly, while others stressedthe importance of following
(30:57):
evidence over behavioralassumptions, and that's the case
of the Jackson family murdersthat occurred three years ago to
the day.
Be sure to follow CrimeConnoisseurs on Instagram and
now TikTok at Crime Connoisseurs.
All one word If you enjoyed thepodcast, please like and
(31:17):
subscribe, and share it withyour friends and family.
Crime connoisseurs can be foundwherever you listen to your
podcasts.
Thank you all for listening andcelebrating the first year of
crime connoisseurs with me.
In the meantime, keep it classy, connoisseurs, and I'll catch
you on the next case.
Thank you, we'll see you nexttime.
Emergency.
Someone broke into our house.
Our address is 4414 OakleafCourt, north East.
I've been shot.
My other family has been shot.
I need help immediately.
Okay, I'm getting Cedar Rapidson the line here.
I've been shot in the foot.
(00:21):
Okay, sir, stay in the foot.
Okay, sir, sir, stay on theline.
It would be nice to beanswering.
Give them the address rightaway 911,.
What's the address of theemergency?
4414 Oakleaf Court, northeast.
Okay, what's going on?
Someone broke in.
Okay, I've been shot.
You've been shot, I've been shot.
(00:42):
Okay, hold on just a second.
Are they still there?
No, they left.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Welcome back Crime Connoisseurs.
I'm your host, grace D, and no,you're not losing it.
Today is Saturday.
I know what you're thinking.
Wait a minute.
What's going on?
We just got a case three daysago and you're right on that.
But today is a special day.
Today is one year of crimeconnoisseurs.
(01:12):
So to celebrate the special day, I have a chilling case that
happened just three years agotoday and you get to listen
ad-free.
And you get to listen ad-freeWe'll be discussing the shocking
case of a triple family murder.
The murders left anunforgettable mark on the small
community in Iowa where theheinous crimes took place.
(01:35):
This is the case of the Jacksonfamily.
(02:22):
We'll be right back To graspthe full scope of the tragedy.
It is imperative to firstunderstand the background of the
Jackson family.
The family consisted of Jan andMelissa Jackson, their son
Alexander, alex and theirdaughter Sabrina, as well as
their extended family membersliving in a quaint house on the
outskirts of the small town.
Known for their tight-knitnature, the Jacksons were active
(02:45):
members of the community,involved in local events and
widely regarded as a lovingfamily.
On a seemingly ordinary day inthe quiet town of Cedar Rapids,
iowa, first responders wouldrespond to a scene that was
anything but ordinary.
(03:05):
The ferocity of the crime shookthe very foundations of the
small town.
As details of the investigationbegan to emerge, authorities
were faced with a complex web ofevidence that pointed to a
potential suspect.
Web of evidence that pointed toa potential suspect.
The killer's motive remainedunclear, leaving many to
(03:34):
speculate on the possiblereasons behind such a heinous
act.
The community came together tomourn the loss of the Jackson
family, holding candlelightvigils and fundraisers to
support the remaining familymembers.
The tragedy sparked aconversation about the
importance of mental healthawareness and the need for
tighter security measures inresidential areas.
(03:56):
As the investigation into theJackson family murders continued
, questions lingered about theperpetrator's identity and the
possibility of justice beingserved.
The case remains a chillingreminder of the dark side of
human nature and the devastatingimpact it can have on innocent
(04:18):
lives.
On June 15, 2021, alexanderJackson called 911, saying that
he and another member of hisfamily had been shot and he
needed help to the family'sOakleaf Court Northeast home.
You heard a brief clip of that911 call.
(04:44):
In the beginning of thisepisode, he told the dispatcher
on the call that an intruder hadbroken into their home and that
he was shot in the foot.
The dispatcher asked himseveral times who all was in the
house with him and if they wereokay.
Jackson seemed to have adifficult time answering the
questions, but it was assumedthat he was in shock between the
(05:07):
break-in and being shot.
The call lasted 15 minutes.
When police arrived at the homeat 8.31 am they found Jackson on
the floor with a gunshot woundto his foot.
Someone had shot his father,jan Jackson, five times.
(05:29):
Officers, while evaluating theshocking scene, asked Jackson if
anyone else was home.
He said yes, his sister,sabrina, was in her room.
They asked if she was okay andhe responded.
Quote I think so.
End quote.
(05:50):
When three officers entered theback basement door, they saw
Jan Jackson on the floor near asofa with blood on his mouth and
body.
They realized that he was dead.
Police asked Jackson about theintruder and what had happened.
(06:11):
He began telling the officers asimilar version of events that
he told the dispatcher, exceptthe story had inconsistencies
from the start.
The dispatcher asked him morethan once to describe the
intruder who had shot him.
Jackson could only describe thesuspect as a black male wearing
(06:34):
black clothing and green shoes.
Jackson claimed he was sleepingon the family's porch when he
heard gunshots and saw theintruder.
The intruder allegedly shotJackson in the foot.
Police searched the home toclear the scene, not knowing
(06:55):
where the supposed intruder went.
They didn't find any forcedentry or signs of a struggle and
things seemed to be in place.
While searching the home, theofficers not only found Jan
deceased but also his wifeMelissa and their daughter
(07:15):
Sabrina, all in separatebedrooms with gunshot injuries.
They were all dead, leavingAlex Jackson as the sole
survivor of his family.
The family was shot with a .22caliber semi-automatic rifle
found in the house.
Police found numerous shellcasings in the house from the
(07:37):
unique Browning rifle that canfire 11 bullets without having
to reload.
Jackson told the police that heand his dad were cleaning it
the night before.
As investigators dug deeperinto the case, they uncovered a
web of secrets and hiddenresentments within the Jackson
family.
Jackson became the primesuspect and the evidence against
(08:01):
him was mounting.
But what could have driven aseemingly ordinary young man to
commit such a heinous crime?
Surveillance footage from bothneighbors' homes and the Jackson
residence showed no oneentering or leaving the murder
scene.
Investigators Matt Denlingerand Sarah Lucina grilled Jackson
(08:24):
for hours at the hospital whenhe was being treated for the
gunshot injury to his foot.
They also spoke with him in ashort interview later that night
at the police department toldJackson numerous times they
(08:47):
didn't believe his version ofevents that a masked male
intruder with dark clothes andgreen shoes came into the
Jackson home at 4414 Oak LeafCourt, northeast, during the
early morning hours, shot hisdad, mom and sister and then
shot him in the foot during astruggle over the .22-caliber
semi-automatic rifle thatbelonged to the Jacksons.
(09:09):
During the recorded interview,lucina said quote.
There's no proof of anyonecoming and going from your house
.
End quote.
She told Jackson, if there wasno connection between the family
and the alleged intruder and hewas just coming in to murder
(09:31):
people because nothing wasstolen, then he would have to
get lucky to find a house with agun he could use to commit the
crime.
She said quote.
You can't sit there and look mein the eye and tell me that's
what happened end quote.
However, jackson did just thatthroughout the interviews.
(09:52):
He also didn't exactly answertheir questions.
For a decent amount of theinterview Both investigators
were empathetic about thefrustrations of bad grades,
father's expectations and otherfamily issues.
They asked if he might behaving anxiety, mental health or
(10:14):
sexual orientation issues orbad thoughts, jackson.
They were just trying to figureout what happened and wanted to
give him an opportunity to talkbecause there was no evidence
of forced entry into the houseand no evidence of an unknown
intruder.
Lucina said they wanted tounderstand because something bad
(10:38):
happened and they weren't thereto
judge him.
Jackson had been given fentanylfor pain but was coherent and
he said nothing happened.
He was close to his family.
They had dinner that night andwatched a movie.
He and his dad had cleaned therifle that night because the
(11:00):
last time they used it the gunjammed.
Jackson said he was sleeping onthe screened-in porch and woke
up to the sound of about 10gunshots.
He ran downstairs and saw theintruder and then his dad on the
floor.
He started wrestling the manfor the gun and he was shot in
(11:20):
the foot.
He described the intruder as ablack male wearing all black and
green shoes as a black malewearing all black and
green shoes.
At one point Jackson said hedidn't know if he shot himself
during the struggle, meaning hemay have been the one who pulled
the trigger, or if the intruderdid it.
Jackson said he thought theintruder ran out and he crawled
(11:41):
to his basement bedroom to gethis phone to call 911 and found
a belt to use as a tourniquet tostop the bleeding.
He said he saw his sister inthe bed.
The door to her bedroom thatwas next to his was open, but he
didn't know if she was hurt.
Denlinger said everyone wasshot in the head except him,
(12:05):
which quote makes no sense atall.
End quote.
Jackson said quote, I didn't doit, okay.
End quote.
Lacena said it looked likeJackson had killed his entire
family in cold blood, without anexplanation.
Jackson said he wanted the guyfound.
Lucina told Jackson quote, wefound him.
(12:27):
End quote.
He responded quote, you did, itwasn't me.
End quote.
The investigators also met withJackson at the department after
his treatment at the hospitalafter 8 pm on June 15th and
attempted one more time to findout what happened that morning.
Demlinger told him they hadreviewed the videos from the
(12:52):
surveillance cameras at his homeand the neighbor's home and
none of them showed anyonecoming or going from the house.
But Jackson stuck to his story.
Lucina then told him he wasn'tgoing home.
He was being charged with threecounts of first-degree murder.
Jackson was booked on the threecounts of first-degree murder
(13:17):
that night the same day that themurders happened at the Lynn
County Jail.
The following day, he made abrief initial court appearance
and bail was set at$3 million.
This case marked the firstknown triple homicide in Cedar
Rapids since 1982 and only thesecond since at least 1959,
(13:43):
according to Cedar Rapids PoliceDepartment spokesman Greg Bulow
.
According to Cedar RapidsPolice Department spokesman Greg
Bulow, the trial that followedwas a media sensation, with the
small town of Iowa captivated bythe proceedings.
The prosecution presented acompelling case, highlighting
the motive, the forensicevidence and the testimonies of
(14:04):
witnesses.
On the other hand, the defenseargued that there was
insufficient evidence to proveJackson's guilt beyond a
reasonable doubt.
The trial began on January 10,2023, and presented a series of
forensic evidence that painted adamning picture.
The prosecution highlighted thecomplexity of reloading the
(14:29):
Browning rifle, arguing it wasunlikely a random intruder could
have operated it without priorexperience.
They also pointed out Jackson'slack of attempts to check on
his mother and his sister duringthe 911 call, suggesting he
knew they were already deadduring the 911 call, suggesting
(14:51):
he knew they werealready dead.
During the trial, theprosecution argued that Alex
Jackson was the perpetrator ofthe triple homicide.
The main points of their caseincluded the lack of forced
entry, gunshot residue,inconsistent statements and
motive.
Prosecutors suggested thatJackson was struggling
academically and feared hisfather would force him to move
(15:14):
out or get a job.
At the time of the murders,jackson reportedly only had
about $30 to his name, adding tohis potential desperation,
despite his achievements likebecoming an Eagle Scout and a
seemingly normal upbringing.
The prosecution suggested thatJackson's fear of independence
(15:36):
and academic failures could havedriven him to commit the
unthinkable.
When police arrived on thescene, there was no signs of
forced entry or any indicationthat the home had been
burglarized, suggesting to themthat the perpetrator was someone
within the household.
Investigators tested forgunshot residue and revealed
(16:01):
residue was found on Jackson'shands, indicating that he had
recently fired a gun.
Jackson's account of the eventschanged multiple times during
police interviews.
Furthermore, forensic analysisrevealed two palm prints on the
murder weapon belonging toJackson, as well as an
(16:21):
unidentifiable partial Bloodsplatter.
Analysis indicated Jackson hadshot himself near his bed, not
in the downstairs living room ashe claimed.
Associate State MedicalExaminer, dr Kelly Cruz,
performed the autopsies on JanMelissa and Sabrina Jackson.
(16:43):
Dr Cruz said Jan Jackson hadfive gunshot wounds to his chest
area, neck and the back of hishead.
The gunshots injured his brainand other vital organs, and each
individual shot could have beenfatal.
The cause of death was multiplegunshot wounds.
(17:04):
Jan also had a blunt forceinjury and a laceration to his
face and inside his lower lip,which could have been from
falling to the floor afterbeing shot.
Melissa Jackson died from twogunshot injuries to her head.
She had one next to her lefteye and another to the right
(17:27):
temple area.
The gunshot to her eye wasfired at close range, which left
soot to indicate that the gunwas fired inches from her head.
Both gunshots to her headentered her dura and brain.
Either injury could have beenfatal.
Sabrina also died from multiplegunshot injuries.
(17:51):
She had one to the left side ofher torso which exited through
her arm, and another shot to herleft eye.
The torso shot entered herabdominal cavity, injuring her
liver, and exited her frontstomach area.
The gunshot to her eye injuredher brain.
(18:11):
Dr Cruz said that there was nosoot or stifling in the wounds,
so the gun wasn't fired at closerange.
Each of her injuries could havebeen fatal, but the one to her
eye would have been morerapidly fatal.
During Dr Cruz's testimony onthe autopsies, jackson never
(18:35):
looked at the television screensin the courtroom.
He mostly looked down at anotepad in front of him.
The defense maintained thatJackson consistently claimed
innocence and that he was avictim of the home invasion and
questioned the reliability ofthe surveillance footage and
forensic interpretations.
(18:56):
They also pointed to anunidentified third fingerprint
on the rifle as a potential clueto another suspect.
They argued his injurycharacter and the lack of
direct evidence.
Jackson's gunshot wound to hisfoot was presented as evidence
(19:17):
that he was attacked and avictim, not the perpetrator.
The defense also painted apicture of Jackson as a
non-violent, academicallyinclined young man with no
history of violent behavior.
They emphasized the absence ofdirect evidence such as
eyewitness testimonies ordefinitive proof linking Jackson
(19:41):
to the murders beyondreasonable doubt.
Reasonable doubt the recordingof Jackson's 911 call was a
pivotal piece of evidence usedby both sides to support their
narratives.
The prosecution suggested itwas a calculated act, while the
defense portrayed it as agenuine call for help.
(20:01):
We started off with part of thecall, but remember it was 15
minutes long.
Take a listen to some part ofthe call, but remember it was 15
minutes long.
Speaker 1 (20:12):
Take a listen to some more of the call.
Hello Alex, yep, I'm coming.
I'm just talking on the radiotoo, okay, okay, do you remember
what color shirts or what colorhair that guy had Anything
about him?
Um, black.
Do you think it was a blackmale or a black shirt?
(20:34):
Okay, was it a long gun or wasit a short gun like a handgun?
A long gun?
It was a long gun Like a riflestyle.
Yes, okay, okay.
Yes, he says he's Okay.
(21:00):
I've got them coming rightthere on Oakleaf Court, so
they're almost there, okay whereare you in the?
house.
Alex, downstairs, you're in thelower level.
Okay, my room, in your room.
(21:22):
Okay, are you able to meet themat the back door?
Are you able to walk?
If not, just stay in your room.
I'm in my room.
(21:53):
Okay, Alex Is that back doorstill wide open, maybe?
Yeah, okay, I'm going a second.
(22:33):
No, just you and your sister inthe house, right?
Yeah, no, parents orgrandparents, animals.
My mom's here too.
Your mom is there too, yeah,okay.
So you, your sister and yourmom is there too, yeah, okay.
So you, your sister and yourmom yeah, oh, my gosh,
(23:07):
no-transcript.
Well, I don't see them.
Okay, that's fine.
I just want to make sure that.
Have you seen?
Speaker 2 (23:14):
your mom.
Speaker 1 (23:16):
Do you hear it ringing?
Yeah, the house number'sringing, yeah, okay, well,
that's us calling.
We're trying to get a hold ofsister or mom just to make sure
they're safe.
I've got officers all aroundthe house.
(23:36):
I just want to make sure that Ikeep you on the line, okay?
Nobody's answering that housephone.
Are you sure?
Anybody's home?
They took me, okay, the sister.
Did your sister have a cellphone?
Yeah, do you know her number byheart?
(24:01):
Do you know that?
No, okay, you're doing good,alex.
Alex, do you have any weaponsdownstairs, any guns, knives,
anything like that?
No, but there's a gun on thefloor.
(24:24):
That's not yours, it's ours,but we got shot by it.
So he took your gun and shotyou.
Yes, okay, hold on just asecond.
Speaker 2 (24:37):
Let me make sure I tell my officers this Hold on.
The call continued to go onlike that in a similar manner,
from Alex not directly answeringthe dispatcher's questions and
her having to ask the samequestions over and over.
To get a full picture for theofficers coming in, I'll have
(24:58):
the YouTube videos linked of thetrial that it was all recorded
all six days of it in the shownotes.
After listening to more of thecall, do you lean more towards
the prosecution's theory of itbeing calculated or the
defense's theory of himgenuinely calling for help?
In closing arguments, theprosecutor stated that Jackson
(25:23):
had never called for his mom orsister while on the line with
911 to check on them, sayingthat it was because he knew they
were dead and not just injured.
She also mentioned that bloodsplatter found near Jackson's
bed, suggested that he'd shothimself there, not where he
claimed that he encountered anintruder in the downstairs
(25:46):
living room.
The prosecutor stressed that acrime scene investigator had
said the rifle would haverequired reloading during the
murders.
However, she stated that theBrowning's unique reloading
process made it unlikely for afirst-time user like a random
intruder who would have beenable to accomplish this.
(26:07):
However, people who lived inthe house, who had experience
with the gun would have knownthe intricacies.
During the trial, there wastestimony from an investigator
with years of firearms trainingwho had stated that the firearm
was so unique to Lode they hadto search online for a video
(26:29):
tutorial to learn how to do so.
Online for a video tutorial tolearn how to do so.
On January 25, 2023, afterdeliberating for five and a half
hours over the course of twodays, the jury had reached a
verdict.
Alexander Jackson was foundguilty on three counts of
(26:49):
first-degree murder.
Members of the Jackson familywere in court throughout the
trial and hear the verdict Underthese charges.
Iowa law mandates a lifesentence.
Because of what they describedas the heinous and brutal nature
of the murders, the prosecutorsasked Judge Anderson to impose
(27:12):
the life sentences consecutively.
After the verdict was read,jackson seemed to have little to
no emotion.
First Assistant Lynn CountyAttorney Monica Slaughter told
People quote he didn't blinkwhen they read those verdicts
the most stoic face I've everseen.
End quote.
(27:33):
The Gazette reported Jan'ssister, kay Jackson and her
daughter Danielle JacksonParsons said in the statement
after the guilty verdict quoteAlex wanted the world to think
he was a victim of thishorrendous crime, but we know
that is not the case and noweveryone knows the truth of what
(27:55):
happened.
That day, alex murdered threemembers of our family and that
pain will never go away.
Jan 2023, jackson was sentencedto three consecutive life terms
(28:21):
without the possibility ofparole for the murders of his
parents, jan and Melissa, andhis sister, sabrina.
Jackson showed no emotionduring the sentencing and no
family members gave victimimpact statements.
He was also ordered to pay$150,000 in restitution to the
(28:44):
estates or heirs of his parentsand sister.
However, jackson's defense hasasked for a new trial, citing
alleged misconduct from thejurors in the case.
According to court documents, ajuror said they'd heard other
jurors discussing the case.
Documents.
(29:05):
A juror said they'd heard otherjurors discussing the case
Before the jury found Jacksonguilty.
A juror allegedly said Jacksonwas quote guilty as sin.
End quote.
The prosecutor, monicaSlaughter, pushed back and said
many of the defense's concernscame up during jury selection
and the court addressed them.
She said they removed severaljurors from the pool because
they knew too much about thecase.
(29:27):
When given a chance to speak incourt, jackson declined.
Some Jackson family memberswere in the courtroom for the
sentencing but did not givevictim impact statements.
Victim impact statements.
(29:47):
Judge Anderson denied thedefense's request for a new
trial.
The aftermath of the Jacksonfamily murders served as a stark
reminder of the fragility oflife and the importance of
cherishing every moment withloved ones.
The sense of unity that emergedfrom the tragedy was a
testament to the resilience ofthe human spirit in the face of
unimaginable loss.
One of Sabrina Jackson's formerKennedy High School teachers
(30:12):
has established a scholarshipfund in her name.
The scholarship supports travelexpenses for Kennedy students
interested in participating inthe annual school-sponsored trip
to Japan, which Sabrinaattended.
Donations to the fund can bemade to the Cedar Rapids
Community Schools Foundation,with Sabrina H Jackson Memorial
(30:36):
Scholarship being titled underthe Tribute Name section.
I will have the link to thedonation page in the source
material.
The case generated significantpublic interest.
Given his background, someviewed Jackson's actions as an
anomaly, while others stressedthe importance of following
(30:57):
evidence over behavioralassumptions, and that's the case
of the Jackson family murdersthat occurred three years ago to
the day.
Be sure to follow CrimeConnoisseurs on Instagram and
now TikTok at Crime Connoisseurs.
All one word If you enjoyed thepodcast, please like and
(31:17):
subscribe, and share it withyour friends and family.
Crime connoisseurs can be foundwherever you listen to your
podcasts.
Thank you all for listening andcelebrating the first year of
crime connoisseurs with me.
In the meantime, keep it classy, connoisseurs, and I'll catch
you on the next case.
Thank you, we'll see you nexttime.
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