FORMER SHERIFF'S DEPUTY FOUND GUILTY OF VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER IN DEATH OF PIMP

State vs. Richard Jackson

Atlanta- 43-year-old Richard Jackson, a former Fulton County Sheriff’s Deputy has been convicted of voluntary manslaughter in connection with the death of a local pimp. In addition to the voluntary manslaughter charge, jurors this afternoon found Jackson guilty of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and Violation of Oath by a Public Officer for the shooting death of 22-year-old Allen Griffin. Jackson’s bond was revoked following the verdict and he was ordered into custody pending sentencing.

Griffin was shot and killed on July 15, 2006 behind the Skyview Apartments on Beeler Drive in Southwest Atlanta. Shortly before the shooting, Defendant Jackson had solicited a 17-year-old prostitute for sex. After the teen entered Jackson’s vehicle an argument ensued. The young woman exited the car and began to run away and as she did so, the defendant fired several shots at her. She was not injured, but upset over the incident, she left to tell the victim, Allen Griffin, what happened. As Griffin ran to the back of the apartment complex where the defendant was located, he was gunned down by Defendant Jackson. Officers responding 911 calls of a person being shot, found Defendant Jackson hiding in nearby bushes armed with a handgun. He was arrested at the scene.

Jackson is scheduled to be sentenced on February 28, 2011 by presiding Fulton County Superior Court Judge Kimberly Esmond Adams.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Sheila Ross of the Major Case Division with assistance from Deputy District Attorney Shondeana Morris and former DA Investigator Tracey Brumfield. Detective Michael Willis of the Atlanta Police Department led the initial investigation.

Media Contact: Yvette Brown, 404-224-0560/404-392-8867, yvette.brown@fultoncountyga.gov