Father angry son still hasn't gone to trial after 2 years in jail, mistaken release

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — The father of a suspected kidnapper and rapist mistakenly released from jail says the court system is partially to blame since he sat in jail two years with no trial.

The father, Pastor Jackie Jackson, told Channel 2's Tom Jones that his son can't prove his innocence if he can't get a trial.

Jackson said it makes no sense for anyone to sit in jail two years and not go to trial.

Channel 2 Action News was there as Jackson drove his son from Ohio and deputies walked him back into the jail.

Now the father hopes there are no more delays giving his son a trial.

“You need to get my son in court. If the DA is saying he's guilty. Bring him to trial. Bring the evidence. Get him to trial,” Jackson said.

The pastor says he's angry after his son, Justin Jackson, sat in the Fulton County Jail for two years with no trial.

TRENDING STORIES:

• Teen driver dies after Ga. crash that killed siblings, critically injured mom
• Climate protesters march through Atlanta; several arrests made
• Lithonia police officer arrested, charged with rape

“Nobody should spend two years with no progress,” Jackson said.

The younger Jackson is accused of kidnapping, raping, beating and burning the mother of one of his children.

Prosecutors dropped the charges twice, but that was procedural and the case was quickly reindicted each time.

Then on Aug. 30, the jail released Justin Jackson, thinking the charges had been dropped.

“And so he thought he was free and clear,” his aunt, Esperanza Gallon, said.

Prosecutors said Justin Jackson shouldn't have been released since he had no bond and had been reindicted.

Channel 2 Action News was there when he turned himself in.

“He made the decision to come back because he wants to have his name cleared,” Gallon said.

Jones went to Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard's office and spoke to him about the delay in this case.

Howard said the system is antiquated with too many cases and not enough judges. Howard said the system has to change.

Jackson's father agrees.

“It feels wrong. It feels wrong that we're walking him back,” Jackie Jackson said.

Howard showed Jones more than 100 sex-related cases that are waiting to go to trial, some waiting for four years.

Howard's office has consistently said his office is not in charge of scheduling when cases head to trial.

Cox Media Group