BREAKING UPDATE: The jury has found James Jackson guilty of first degree murder and sexual assault as of 9:30 p.m. Friday.
Action News Jax reporter Ryan Nelson will have a full report on CBS47 at 11.
#BREAKING: Jackson found guilty of first degree murder and sexual battery. @ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews https://t.co/uRWkZ1vzAA
— Ryan Nelson (@RyanANJax) December 1, 2018
ORIGINAL STORY:
The man accused of raping and killing a 10-year-old girl in Jacksonville in the 1980s testified in court.
James Jackson took to the stand in Day 2 of the trial, where he maintained his innocence.
“It was a little girl. I wouldn't kill no little girl,” Jackson said.
Jackson now being questioned about the "Tammy Welch 1984" tattoo that he had on his back. He said another cellmate was touching up a tattoo and put that there without his knowledge. Says he covered it up as soon as he found out.
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) November 29, 2018
Prosecutors said Jackson raped and killed Tammy Welch at her apartment complex off 103rd Street.
Jackson claimed he never knew the girl or her family lived next door.
During his testimony, Jackson claimed he was taking a nap during the time the girl was murdered. He said a detective later showed up at his apartment complex.
“He said ‘you realize a young girl was killed next door?’ I said, ‘what that go to do with me?’” Jackson recalled.
When asked why Jackson voluntarily submitted his DNA to law enforcement in 2002, he said he did it because he “didn’t kill anybody.”
Prosecutors said Jackson admitted to the crime to fellow inmates who testified in court.
The inmates said Jackson asked about the death penalty and said he could’ve gotten away with the murder if the girl didn’t break the screen door.
Jackson denied ever having those conversations.
When asked if he raped and killed Tammy Welch in 1984 Jackson said "No, I didn't."
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) November 29, 2018
10 year old Tammy Welch was murdered August of 1984, she was the daughter of a sailor who was at sea at the time of the murder. The suspect, 66 year old James Leon Jackson was arrested in 2013@ActionNewsJax
— Bridgette Matter (@bridgetteANjax) November 28, 2018
Prosecutor says in openings Jackson's DNA was linked to the 10 year old. He allegedly confessed to multiple inmates that he was drunk and killed the young girl. State also says while incarcerated, Jackson got a tattoo on his back that reads "Tammy Welch 1984" @ActionNewsJax
— Bridgette Matter (@bridgetteANjax) November 28, 2018
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