Man Who Killed Son Given Two Life Sentences

Heeding calls of family members for the longest possible sentence, a judge handed down two consecutive life sentences to a City Heights man who pleaded guilty to charges of murdering his 18-year-old son and severely beating his estranged wife May 4.

Attorneys estimate that Nolan Paul Jackson Sr., 37, will serve a minimum of 23 years in state prison before being eligible for parole.

“That’s what you get. . . . You killed my son!” Beverly Jackson yelled at her handcuffed husband as she left the courtroom.

Jackson pleaded guilty two months ago to second-degree murder in the shooting death of his namesake, Nolan Paul Jackson Jr., who was gunned down as he attempted to protect his mother from his enraged father.

“He had to pull that trigger twice to kill his son,” Deputy Dist. Atty. Kerry Wells told San Diego Superior Court Judge Charles R. Hayes.

Wells said Jackson has shown no remorse for the killing.

Jackson also pleaded guilty to attempted premeditated murder in the attack on his wife, who now wears a neck brace and walks with a cane.

Beverly Jackson had obtained a court order to keep her husband away from her house, but he violated that prohibition when he broke in early one morning and began to pistol-whip his wife.

Two other sons, Cedric, 9, and Jeremiah, 13, were at home but were not injured.

Jeremiah Jackson may have saved his mother’s life. Even after shooting his elder son, Jackson continued to chase and beat his wife. Jackson left the scene only after Jeremiah fired BBs from an air gun at him.

A parade of family members asked Hayes to issue the maximum sentence. “Take it upon yourself to try to protect my family,” said Beverly Jackson, who expressed fear that her husband might try to have other people kill her.