Track Ida

Track Ida
Hurricane maps, forecast and more

°

Homepage / Jacksonville News
Text Size

Prosecutors: 'Ringleader' Made 911 Call Posing As Dead Man

3 Others Face Abduction, Murder, Robbery Charges

POSTED: Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Testimony began Tuesday in the murder trial of one of four suspects accused of kidnapping and robbing a St. Nicholas couple and then burying them alive in July 2005.

Prosecutors said Jackson, who is accused of two counts of first-degree murder and other charges, was the ringleader in the kidnapping and slaying of Carol and Reggie Sumner.

The Sumners, both 61, were reported missing after their daughter could not reach them by telephone and drove from South Carolina to find her parents gone from their St. Nicholas home.

The couple's Lincoln Town Car was found in Baker County two days later and a person of interest led authorities to a shallow grave in Charlton County, Ga. The medical examiner said the Sumners were buried alive.

"These extremely wicked, shockingly evil crimes were conceived in this man's mind," said the prosecutor. "This plan was carefully constructed and prearranged all in this defendant's mind. The motive for these crimes was simple -- money."

The jury heard from the couple's daughter and several officers on Tuesday.

One of the officers took the stand with recordings of 911 calls that the prosecution claimed were made by Jackson posing as Reggie Sumner, who police said was killed two days before the call was made.

Prosecutors said Jackson called police to make sure he could still use the Sumners' ATM card.
 Carole and Reggie Sumner
Carol and Reggie Sumner

However, they said Jackson messed up when he gave the wrong name of a city in which he was supposed to be staying.

The call got worse, according to the prosecution, when Jackson put his girlfriend on the phone to pretend to be Carol Sumner. However, the woman was not able to answer questions about her pet names.

Throughout the beginning of the trial, Jackson sat seemingly emotionless in his chair.

His defense attorney told Channel 4 he was sure of his case, and said Jackson admitted he was going to rob the Sumners but that he never thought of killing the couple nor was he the mastermind of this crime.

"The issue is who did what and who knew what, and when did they know it," said Jackson's attorney.

Earlier this year, one of the other suspects, Bruce Nixon, pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder, armed kidnapping and armed robbery.

Detectives said Nixon was the man who led them to the grave.

In addition to Jackson and Nixon, prosecutors have charged Tiffany Cole and Alan Wade.

Nixon faces from 52 years to life in prison, but will not be sentenced until the cases of the other three defendants are resolved.

Text Size

Sponsored Links

Links We Like
Sponsored Content
You can pick your friends, but not your family -- or your neighbors. Here's what you need to know about how to deal with yours. More

Find out what a sputtering economy and an increasingly difficult to crack job market means to you. More

Are you often tired or rushed in the morning? Give your morning habits a makeover, and start the day feeling positive and energetic instead. More

If you're looking to save on your next new vehicle, a low sticker price is just one aspect. Consider all the costs and make the right decision. More

Most Popular

  • StoriesClick to Expand

  • VideoClick to Expand

  • SlideshowsClick to Expand

    • Your Photos Of Sea & Sky Spectacular

      Air show pix: Blue Angels jet with flagSEE IT, SNAP IT, SEND IT: Thousands of eyes and nearly as many cameras pointed toward the sky over Jacksonville's beaches this weekend for the Sea & Sky Spectacular.

    • Celebrities Commit Fashion Faux Pas

      David HasselhoffTop-dollar designs don't always provide a good return for the rich and famous. Check out which celebs were caught in fashion flops.

    • Quinn Gray Evidence Photos

      Quinn Gray shows injuries she says were a result of her kidnappingQuinn Gray showed investigators marks on her arms and legs she said were the result of her kidnapping. Slideshow

    • Images: Flames Engulf, Destroy Mobile Home

      Nassau County House FireAn 800 square foot mobile home in Nassau County was destroyed by fire Tuesday night. Both residents in the home escaped safely.

    • Have You Seen These Fugitives?

      WOJ-ANDRE-FULTZCapturing N.E. Florida's wanted suspects is a tough task, so the local station is trying to help with the Wheel of Justice. Every Thursday morning, the wheel spins and a wanted fugitive is profiled. Images: Fugitives On 'Wheel'