Statement of Governor McDonnell on the Scheduled Execution of Jerry Terrell Jackson

Statement

Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement today regarding the scheduled execution of Jerry Terrell Jackson.

"On November 1, 2002, a jury found Jerry Terrell Jackson guilty of two counts of capital murder of Ruth Phillips in addition to convictions for statutory burglary, robbery, rape and petit larceny. The trial court, in accordance with the jury's verdict and recommendation, sentenced Jackson to death. On June 20, 2011, the Circuit Court for the City of Williamsburg and James City County set the execution date for August 18, 2011.

"The record reflects that on Sunday, August 26, 2001, the body of 88-year-old Ruth Phillips was discovered by her son after Mrs. Phillips did not attend church or answer her telephone. Fingerprint evidence led police to Jerry Terrell Jackson who admitted to the rape and murder of Mrs. Phillips. While Jackson later recanted his confession, DNA analysis matched evidence from the rape to Jackson, and the jury found Jackson guilty of the charged crimes.

"On July 29, 2011, Jackson filed a petition for clemency requesting that I commute the sentence of death to a sentence of life without the possibility of parole. Jackson's trial, verdict and sentence have been reviewed and affirmed by state and federal courts, including the Supreme Court of Virginia and his primary arguments advanced in his petition have been rejected by the appellate courts. Although the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia ordered a new sentencing to take place, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit reversed that decision.

"After conferring with the appropriate parties, as well as thoroughly reviewing the clemency petition and the judicial opinions in this case, I find no compelling reason to set aside the sentence of the jury, imposed and affirmed by the courts.

"Accordingly, I decline to intervene."

Source