Donald Jackson Pleads Guilty in Murder of Mark Loesch
Donald Eugene Jackson (Minneapolis) who was charged with second degree murder and was scheduled to go trial in Hennepin County District Court this week, has instead pled guilty to aggravated robbery and will avoid trial.
Jackson was accused in the murder of Mark Loesch, September 13, 2007. Minneapolis Police officers responded to a call in the area of 3732 Elliot Avenue South last September. They had received a report of a male lying in the yard at that adress. Police officers observed a noticeable bruise on the right rear portion of the victim's neck, a large gash head wound to his front right forehead area and dried blood coming from his right ear. The victim's right front pocket was turned inside out, and a red Schwinn bicycle was next to the victim's body.
Jackson will be sentenced July 25, 2008. Jamaal Freeman, who is also charged in Loesch's murder, goes to trial in Hennepin County this summer.
Hennepin County Judge Hands Down Life Sentence Without Release
Hennepin County District Court Judge Chu has sentenced convicted murderer Justin Buckingham to life in prison, without the possibility of release. The sentence came shortly before five oclock Monday afternoon in the 10th floor courtroom. Just before sentencing, Buckingham addressed the family and friends of Ricardo Walker, the man he was found guilty of fatally shooting, and said, "Carlo was a good dude. [He] shouldn't be dead. Person who killed him is still out on the streets".
The prosecutor referred to the Buckingham's crimes as "about as senseless as senseless murders get".
Buckingham was sentenced to life in prison "without the possibility of release" for first degree premeditated murder. He was also sentenced to two consecutive sentences of 180 months for attempted murder and drive by shooting. Buckingham was also sentenced to concurrent prison time totaling 729 months for attempted murder and drive by shooting.
Judge Chu said to Buckingham, "you're sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. During those years, you'll regret committing these acts - if not for the victims, you will realize you've ruined your life as well".