Jackson Sentenced To 5 1/2 Years In Prison For Aggravated Sexual Assault
The trial of Denzel Dredon Jackson concluded shortly after 7 p.m. Friday with Jackson being sentenced by a Hopkins County jury to 5 1/2 years in prison.
After deliberating for approximately 9 hours of Thursday evening and Friday morning, the jury just before lunch Friday found the 29-year-old guilty of the aggravated sexual assault of his girlfriend of 6 years, who is also the mother of 2 of his children, on or about May 24, 2019. A belt and box cutter were allegedly involved in the offense.
He was arrested on June 28, 2019 on a felony warrant and has remained in Hopkins County jail ever since, according to jail reports.
Jackson has no prior felony conviction, so the jury had the option of sentencing him to a term on probation or up to 99 years or life in prison on the first-degree felony conviction. After approximately 4 hours of deliberation, the jury sentenced Jackson to 5 1/2 years in prison for the aggravated sexual assault.
From jury selection through the guilty verdict was conducted in Hopkins County Civic Center to provide ample social distancing. The trial moved to the second floor courtroom at Hopkins County Courthouse Friday afternoon to conclude the sentencing phase of the trial, due to a prior booking of the Civic Center facility for the weekend.
What You Need To Know Before Driving Through For Hopkins County Stew
The start of October typically means two things in Sulphur Springs: Homecoming and the annual Hopkins County Stew contest. Tonight’s Homecoming game has been canceled but this year’s queen and princesses were crowned Thursday night. The Hopkins County Stew is still planned for later this month, but due to COVID-19 will be a little different.
This year’s stew will be drive-through. There will be 106 cook teams spread out around the walking track around the edge of Buford Park, to better social distance each site.
“There are some very exciting and neat parts of that that I want everybody to know about and take advantage of.
Only 10 others per cook site will be allowed on the contest grounds at Buford Park on Oct. 24, and they must have the designated credentials to be at the stew site.
Instead of visiting camp sites, stew may be purchased in advance through Oct. 21 by calling the Chamber of Commerce. Those calling may reserve as much stew from their favorite cooks as they ant until they are sold out.
“That means you could order a whole buffet from different stew cooks, whichever ones that you want. You go ahead and pay for it. We give you a time to drive through and pick it up. You just drive through. It’s a separate line. It’ll have cheese and crackers in with it, and they you just leave and go home and do whatever you’d like to do — kind of have your own stew contest if you want to,” Brown said.
Those who choose not to preorder their stew may drive through on Saturday, Oct. 24, and choose between chicken or beef stew or even request both. However, those waiting to purchase stew until they drive through won’t be able to request from specific stew cooks.
“We’ve never offered it before and I kind of doubt we’re going to offer it again. It’s a great opportunity for all of the cooks you’ve wanted to try. Go ahead and call up here and order them up. The only one we’ve had sell out so far is Don Sapaugh, so you can’t get Don Sapaugh stew and Steve Littlefield is almost sold out, but we still have some other ones we can offer. Order up your own buffet of stew. It’s a great thing to do,” Brown said.
Each purchase will be $10 for a quart of stew. Because this is a drive-through event for the public, there will be no bowls available for purchase on site. Each stew site has been allowed to purchase up to 10 tickets; those 10 people will have bowls and those will be the only bowls available that day. Those are also the only people, other than judges and cook team, allowed to on the grounds.
Brown said the limit of 10 follows the Governor’s previous order limiting gatherings to no more than 10 people, which the stew contest must follow. After numerous meetings with city and county officials, the current plan is the one agreed on, with a limit of 1,000 people one the grounds with cooks. The people selected to be on site with the cooks will be able to walk around and have a normal stew day, Brown explained.
The stew sites have been moved to the outside of the sidewalk on both the north and south sides of Buford Park, with one site in between each camp stew site, spanning 14-acres from the Skate Park to just south of the football stadium.
Awards this year will be announced virtually, eliminating the number of people who would gather closely for the announcements of awards. A Facebook Live will be used to announce winners. Chamber volunteers will deliver checks to the stew cooks.
“It’s going to be different. Every thing’s going to look a little different. That’s the part that’s kind of super disappointing to me, I think, is the awards ceremony. It will still be good and it should be a lot of fun,” Brown said.
Stew t-shirts may also be purchased from the Chamber of Commerce. The “Stew You,” Brown acknowledged, was a little aggressive, born out of frustration about COVID-19 wrecking havoc on all large events that have occurred in 2020.
“This is the first large event that’s been kind of able to happen and it’s super modified. It’s not at all like we want it to be but we are very thankful we are able to offer anything at all. So I hope that Hopkins County will find a way to drive through and get their stew, just find a way to enjoy the day,” Brown said.
Call the Chamber at 903-885-6515 to pre-order stew, purchase a t-shirt or for more information.
Jury Returns Guilty Verdict In Sexual Assault Trial
A Hopkins County jury at noon Friday, Oct. 9, returned a guilty verdict in the aggravated sexual assault trial of Denzel Dredon Jackson, local officials reported.
The jury deliberated for several hours Thursday evening and returned at 8:30 a.m. Friday to deliberate all Friday morning, before returning a verdict.
Jackson was accused of the aggravated sexual assault of his girlfriend and mother of two of his children, with whom he lived with on and off for 6 years. The offense was alleged to have occurred on or about May 24, 2019. Jackson has been in custody since his arrest on June 28, 2019 on a felony warrant.
The punishment phase of the trial is slated to begin at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, according to local authorities. The trial has been held in the banquet rooms at Hopkins County Civic Center, which is serving as the 8th Judicial District courtroom, to meet court stipulation requiring ample space for social distancing between jurors, court participants and observers.
Local VFW Raises Funds Through Raffle
The local VFW Post 8560 and American Legion Post 66 will be holding a raffle for a brand new over/under 12 gauge shot gun. For tickets contact Andy Lowen @ (903) 355-3733 or Billy Cassy @ (903) 440-1873. Tickets are $5 each or you can purchase 5 for $20. Proceeds go to local American Legion and VFW posts to support veterans still serving their communities.
Members will also be set up on Celbration Plaza on Saturday, October 10th from 1pm to 5pm to sell tickets. Look for the members across from The Magic Scoop downtown.
Tickets Purchases For Homecoming Game To Be Automatically Refunded
All tickets purchased for the Oct. 9 canceled Homecoming game will be refunded automatically over the next few business days. Anyone who does not receive a refund by Tuesday, Oct. 13, may call Marci Owens at 903-885-2153 regarding the refund, Sulphur Springs ISD administrators noted in a release Friday morning.
Even though Sulphur Springs is not having the Homecoming Game tonight, Oct. 9, fans may still purchase a football program for $5. This week’s program includes the headshots of the homecoming nominees. Contact Kaley Williams at [email protected] for more information.
Jury Still Deliberating In Aggravated Sexual Assault Trial
The Hopkins County jury was still deliberating at 10:40 a.m. Oct. 9 in the aggravated sexual assault trial of Denzel Dredon Jackson.
The jury panel was selected Monday, opening statements from attorneys were heard Tuesday morning, then prosecutors called witnesses the next few days. On Thursday morning, defense attorney Gabriel Ogueri began presenting calling defense witnesses. Jackson testified Thursday.
The jury received the charge and heard closing arguments Thursday afternoon. The jury left the courtroom to begin deliberations before 5 p.m. They remained in the designated jury room at Hopkins County Civic Center until after 8 p.m. Oct. 8, then returned Friday morning to continue deliberations in the case.
The jurors Thursday evening asked for a section of testimony and two exhibits to review. On Friday morning, the courtroom was cleared except for the jury and court personnel while the jury reviewed recordings presented as evidence earlier in the trial.
Salado Man Jailed For Stealing Car From Church Street Gas Station
October 9, 2020 – A 33-year-old Salado, TX man was jailed for stealing a car from a Church Street gas station Thursday afternoon. After a short pursuit, a police canine found him hiding under wood and building materials in the 200 block of Houston Street, according to arrest reports.
A woman around 3:10 a.m. Oct. 8 reported her Nissan Sentra stolen from the gas pumps in the 1200 block of Church Street, where she left it parked at the gas pumps with her keys and phone among her personal personal items left in the car. She told police she had, no idea who took her car.
The car owners, using a phone a cell phone app, tracked the car to the area of Cottonwood Street and Houston Street. Sulphur Springs Police Lt. Pat Leber found the car parked next to a residence in the 100 block of Cottonwood Street. He pulled in behind the stolen vehicle and got out to see if anyone was inside.
Leber reported seeing Tony Lynn McPherson Jr. exit the driver’s seat of the car. As he approached, Leber instructed McPherson to stop and talk with him. McPherson allegedly ignored Leber and began walking away. Leber told McPherson to stop, but McPherson took off running.
After a short foot pursuit, Leber reported temporarily losing sight of McPherson. Hopkins County sheriff’s officers arrived to assist, including a deputy with a police canine. A short time later, the K-9 located McPherson, who was hiding under wood and building materials behind a shop in the 200 block of Houston Street. McPherson reportedly sustained bite wounds from the police dog. EMS was requested.
McPherson then was placed into custody at 3:44 p.m. Oct. 8 for unauthorized use of a vehicle and evading arrest or detention with a previous conviction. McPherson allegedly admitted he stolen the car in an effort to get away from this area, and claimed he wouldn’t have run if he knew officer had a canine.
McPherson was transported by EMS to the emergency room, treated and cleared by medical staff then released to officers. He was jailed on both charges. He remained in Hopkins County jail Friday morning, Oct. 9, according to jail reports.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Macy Sworn In As New Chief Of Tira VFD
By Jan Vaughn
Tony Macy was sworn in as the new chief of the Tira Volunteer Fire Department in a special meeting of the Tira City Council on October 4, 2020.
I need to make a correction about the Tira Community Christmas Party. It is scheduled for the second Saturday in December, not the first Saturday, as previously reported. We are hopeful that conditions will allow us to gather safely at that time.
Robert and Yvonne Weir’s grandson, Nico, stayed with them from Wednesday night until Sunday morning, while his mother Destri was traveling in Maryland. Yvonne said, “We went to the park and the children’s museum in Commerce. We enjoyed his stay so much.”
Also, recently Robert, Yvonne, and Wesley went to Princeton to watch Eli, Dacy’s son, play soccer, and then they drove to Sunneyvale and met Destri, Eben, and Nico and Dustin, Natalie, and Everly to eat outside at Kearney’s and celebrate Destri’s birthday. Yvonne comments, “It was lots of fun.”
Jim and Sandra Vaughn, of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, visited Chip, Grace, and me on Sunday, Sept. 27. Our niece, Lana Hall, came by for a while, too. We all enjoyed being outside together underneath the shade trees.
Our great-grandsons, Brailon and Slaiden Joslin, spent Friday night and Saturday morning with us. Their brother Rylan had dental work on Friday and wasn’t feeling like coming with them. Chip’s sister, Linda Ellen Vaughn, of Dallas came on Saturday afternoon and spent the weekend with us. Our niece, Jana Rich, visited with us for a while on Saturday, too. Chip and I did some grocery shopping in Paris on Saturday afternoon and picked up supper at the Fish Fry to share with Linda and Grace. Linda prepared lunch for us on Sunday.
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
Wood County Sheriff’s Report Sept. 30-Oct. 6, 2020
Wood County Sheriff’s Office provided the following activity report for Sept. 30-Oct. 6, 2020:
- Abandoned Vehicle: 3
- Alarm: 7
- Animal Complaint: 5
- Arrest/Warrant: 4
- Assault: 2
- Burglary: 5
- Criminal Mischief: 2
- Criminal Trespass: 8
- Disturbances/Disputes: 9
- Driving While Intoxicated: 1
- Fraud: 3
- Funeral Escort: 1
- Harassment: 4
- Inquest: 1
- Livestock at Large: 14
- Missing Person: 3
- Motorist Assist: 7
- Noise Complaint: 2
- Reckless Driver: 5
- Recovered Stolen Property: 1
- Shots Fired: 1
- Suspicious Activity: 25
- Terroristic Threat: 2
- Theft: 7
- Traffic Hazard: 3
- Traffic Stop Cleared by Arrest: 1
- Unauthorized Use of Vehicle: 1
- Welfare Check: 13
Sulphur Springs City Manager’s Report – October 2020
On Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, Sulphur Springs City Council received from City Manager Marc Maxwell the monthly manager’s report:
COVID-19 Response
The number of active cases in Hopkins County maintains a range of 30 to 90 cases and was at 74 active cases as of October 5th. The state tested 398 people in its most recent round of testing. We have had 314 recoveries in Hopkins County.
As a part of the City’s response to Covid-19 the City suspended the practice of cutting of water service for non-payment. Some of the balances are growing quite high. The total arrearage is $86,000 with 423 accounts (6.3% of all accounts) in arrears. 143 accounts are more than 90 days in arrears. I have not planned on reinstituting cut offs until after a vaccine is available. At that point we will have to decide how to bring the delinquent accounts up to a current status. I will likely propose requiring residents to pay their current bill along with 1/6th or 1/12th of their arrearage to avoid being cut off. In this way their accounts would be brought current in either 6 months or 12 months. I just wanted to put this out there so that you would have plenty of time to consider a fair and reasonable path forward.
Grays Building
The piers for the building have been poured to a depth of 18 feet. The Capital Construction Division is installing the below grade plumbing. We are extremely fortunate to have such a capable Public Works Department with Russ Nuss at its head. Among all of his other talents, Russ is also a master plumber. He and his staff are doing an excellent job on the plumbing. After the plumbing is roughed in the City’s master electrician will install the below grade conduit for electrical circuits. We are also very fortunate to have John Smith on staff as our master electrician. Once he is finished installing the below grade electrical conduits Potts Concrete Construction will finish constructing the concrete foundation.
Senior Citizens Building
Construction drawings are being prepared by REES Associates. We are planning to hire Don Roundtree to manage the construction under the same arrangement that we have on the Grays Building.
Bellview Street
Atmos is finally finished replacing the gas line. We will rebuild the intersection with Texas Street next.
McCann Street
The sewer main and water main have both been replaced. We will now begin replacing curb and gutter, and then the street will be repaved at the same time as Bellview Street.
Claims
We had two minor workers compensation claims in the Police Department in September and one liability claim from a motorist who drove through a pothole on an Atmos trench line on Kyle Street. We also submitted our own property claim for damage to a new police cruiser caused by an officer backing into an I-beam.
Revenues and Expenditures
Finance Director Lesa Smith will present a year-end report of revenues and expenditures.
Miscellaneous
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
- Treated wastewater to a monthly average total suspended solids count of .20 mg/L.
- Repaired 22 water main leaks/ruptures.
- Replaced 9 water meters.
- Unstopped 31 sewer mains.
- Washed 80,000 feet of sewer mains.
- Flushed 36 dead end water mains.
- Treated 161 million gallons of potable water.
- Conducted 35 building inspections, 13 electrical inspections, 17 plumbing inspections, 1 mechanical inspection, and issued 21 building permits.
- Responded to 208 calls for fire/rescue including 4 structure fires.
- Performed preventative maintenance on 81 fire hydrants.
- Conducted 11 fire inspections and reviewed associated pre-fire plans.
- Responded to 197 calls for animal control, achieving a 72% adoption rate.
- Made 37 arrests, wrote 552 citations, recorded 59 offenses and responded to 22 accidents in the Patrol Division.
- Made 13 felony arrests in the Special Crimes Unit.
- Made 19 major street repairs following utility repairs.
- Repaired 103 potholes.
- Poured a concrete slab for additional storage at the animal shelter.
- Line-trimmed South Town Branch.
- Checked out 2,794 items from the Municipal Library.
- Sold 1,764 gallons of AvGas and 7,900 gallons of JetA fuel.
- Boom shredded upper and lower lakes at Coleman Park.
- Prepared soccer fields and baseball/softball fields for youth play.
