By Scott Harvey
Daingerfield – A Pittsburg man receives 90 years in prison after he was found guilty Wednesday for the murder of a Texas A&M University-Commerce student.
24-year-old Deunjerelle Lester Jackson is said to have shot and killed Christopher Moore, of DeSoto, outside Daingerfield at the former Cat Daddy's Club early Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009.
Over 100 club patrons were in the parking lot when several fights broke out involving approximately 15-20 people. A number of pistols and an assault rifle were fired into the air in attempts to stop the fighting, but before police could arrive, Moore was shot in the back by Jackson as he attempted to run from the fight.
According to Morris County District Attorney Steve Cowan, 36 witnesses were subpoenaed to testify in the trail but only three were used: one credible eyewitness, the medical examiner, and Jackson's longtime friend, James Isom.
Isom, who had previously been convicted of the Lone Star robbery in exchange for a 12 year prison sentence, testified Jackson carried a .45 caliber hand gun to the club, and shot the unarmed Moore in the back as he ran.
Three other innocent bystanders, 17-year-old Whitney King, of Omaha, 19-year-old Marcellious Morton, of Lone Star and 19-year-old Vadarious Cooper, of Naples were wounded by Jackson as he was shooting at Moore.
Following a full day's testimony, it took a jury less than 40 minutes to find Jackson guilty during the punishment stage of the trial.
District Attorney Cowan offered evidence of Jackson's prior criminal convictions, which included a juvenile conviction for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in Dallas, a prior aggravated assault from Camp County, and several misdemeanor convictions from Upshur County, including two convictions for deadly conduct.
Jackson, who was defiant and spoke out loudly during Cowan's final argument, hung his head and refused to stand up to be sentenced by Judge William R, Porter. Extra security officers were provided by the DPS, Morris County Sheriff's Department, Daingerfield Police Department, and Texas Parks and Wildlife because of the large crowd and number of witnesses at the courthouse.
At the time of the shooting, Jackson was on two years probation for Aggravated Assault in Camp County for beating up a fellow prisoner in the Camp County Jail. After the Morris County shooting incident, his probation was revoked and he received two years in TDC.
Cowan said that he was pleased with the verdict and the message it sends that the people of Morris County will not tolerate thugs and robbers or people who shoot innocent kids.
Cowan said both he and the Moore family were thankful for the hard work and dedication of Texas Ranger Ken Bond of Mt. Pleasant and Morris County Sheriff Jack Martin and his deputies for their tireless efforts in tracking down the evidence and witnesses to solve this case and bring the killer to justice.