Prosecutors in Texas today announced the conviction of a man for shooting and killed an NOPD officer and another New Orleans man in Houston nearly three years ago.
"A 22-year-old man has pleaded guilty to two counts of murder in a 2021 double murder in exchange for a sentence of 60 years in prison," Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced in a news release.
Frederick D. Jackson pleaded guilty to killing Everett Briscoe, a veteran of the New Orleans Police Department, and Zulu official Dyrin Riculfy during an apparent robbery attempt on Aug. 21, 2021 outside a Houston restaurant.
“This was a well-trained police officer from a major city who was just minding his own business and enjoying time off with friends on vacation,” Ogg said. “It is an absolute tragedy, and it shows that anyone, anywhere can be the victim of a violent crime.”
The two victims were killed on the patio of the Grotto Ristorante.
The release recounted how Jackson and another man approached the patio restaurant with guns and demanding money before shooting Briscoe and Riculfy.
"The double murder in broad daylight at an upscale restaurant shocked Houstonians and made international news."
Assistant District Attorney Keaton Forcht prosecuted the case.
“We wanted him to admit guilt for both murders and go to prison for the equivalent of a life sentence, and this accomplishes both of those goals,” Forcht said. “It was important to the families of the victims that he take responsibility.”
Jackson is expected to appear in court next week for victim impact statements from the victims’ families, who will be traveling to Houston.
Prosecutors say Jackson cannot appeal the murder convictions or the prison sentence, and he must serve at least 30 years before he is eligible for parole. In Texas, that is the same as if he were sentenced to life in prison.
"Two other men, 24-year-old Anthony Rayshard Jenkins and Khalil Nelson, 21, are still facing trial in the shooting."