Man, 66, could still face death penalty if convicted in cold case murder James Leon Jackson charged in 1984 rape and murder of 10-year-old Tammy Welch
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office booking photo of James Jackson
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Despite his age and infirmity, a 66-year-old man could still face the death penalty in the cold case murder of a 10-year-old girl -- if he is convicted.
James Leon Jackson is charged in the 1984 rape and murder of Tammy Welch.
Jackson was considered a suspect all along but wasn’t charged until 2013.
In 2016, Jackson’s lawyers filed a motion to block the state attorney's office from seeking the death penalty, per the U.S. Supreme Court's Hurst ruling.
At a hearing Tuesday, the judge denied that motion.
Other motions to preclude the death penalty are pending, and Jackson’s lawyers now want a psychiatric evaluation done.
Jackson’s trial is set for the end of the month.
Copyright 2018 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.
Raines QB TJ Cole got his chance to be legendary and delivered ▶ 1:10
Raines QB TJ Cole got his chance to be legendary and delivered
Raines head coach Donovan Masline celebrates his first state title ▶ 1:40
Raines head coach Donovan Masline celebrates his first state title
Geterius Brown said the revenge tour for Raines is complete after win over Miami Northwestern ▶ 1:12
Geterius Brown said the revenge tour for Raines is complete after win over Miami Northwestern
Tadarius Washington on game-winning TD, completing the mission for Raines ▶ 0:44
Tadarius Washington on game-winning TD, completing the mission for Raines
Raines sets sights on Class 3A state championship in Miami ▶ 0:40
Raines sets sights on Class 3A state championship in Miami
Raines is ready for its shot at redemption in the state championship game ▶ 0:36
Raines is ready for its shot at redemption in the state championship game
Jacksonville church, contractors, volunteers step up to help family left homeless after fire ▶ 2:40
Jacksonville church, contractors, volunteers step up to help family left homeless after fire
Enjoy a warmer weekend before a cold start to the week ▶ 1:09
Enjoy a warmer weekend before a cold start to the week
New mural unveiled under the Fuller Warren Bridge ▶ 0:20
New mural unveiled under the Fuller Warren Bridge
Eliminating Florida property taxes could spike home prices 9% and deepen affordability crisis ▶ 1:15
Eliminating Florida property taxes could spike home prices 9% and deepen affordability crisis
Freeze warning and frost advisory for Friday morning ▶ 0:58
Freeze warning and frost advisory for Friday morning
Youth Crisis Center’s tiny home community houses young mothers in need ▶ 1:04
Youth Crisis Center’s tiny home community houses young mothers in need
Surveillance video shows chaos unfolding from shooting at Westside parking lot ▶ 1:26
Surveillance video shows chaos unfolding from shooting at Westside parking lot
Color the Weather: Skylar’s Forecast ☀️📚 ▶ 1:18
Color the Weather: Skylar’s Forecast ☀️📚
Deadly shooting at Westside parking lot ▶ 0:31
Deadly shooting at Westside parking lot
Bolles falls to Cardinal Mooney in class 2A state Championship game ▶ 1:17
Bolles falls to Cardinal Mooney in class 2A state Championship game
Green Cove Springs residents successfully stop rezone for new housing development ▶ 1:06
Green Cove Springs residents successfully stop rezone for new housing development
Volunteers are needed to help do flooring for a Jacksonville woman who lost her apartment in a fire ▶ 0:41
Volunteers are needed to help do flooring for a Jacksonville woman who lost her apartment in a fire
How does frost form on cold nights? ▶ 1:28
How does frost form on cold nights?
Baker County community pays respects after Jacksonville Port Authority COO dies in crash ▶ 0:35
Baker County community pays respects after Jacksonville Port Authority COO dies in crash
Former JSO officer accused of stalking former girlfriend using marked police car, false imprisonment ▶ 0:36
Former JSO officer accused of stalking former girlfriend using marked police car, false imprisonment
Elementary students learn about finances, footwork with the Jags ▶ 0:41
Elementary students learn about finances, footwork with the Jags
Sheriff credits work of Narcotics Unit with contributing to ‘significant drop’ in overdose deaths ▶ 1:13
Sheriff credits work of Narcotics Unit with contributing to ‘significant drop’ in overdose deaths
Inside the new Village at Cedar Hills affordable housing community ▶ 0:51
Inside the new Village at Cedar Hills affordable housing community
Passion 4 Pets 🐶💞🐾 Meet Yoshi! ▶ 1:36
Passion 4 Pets 🐶💞🐾 Meet Yoshi!
Previous photo Next photo 