Zay Jackson case heading to Grand Jury

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Reporter - Lauren Adams
Photojournalist - Chad Darnall

CALLOWAY COUNTY, KY-   Alia and Jason Clement faced Zay Jackson for what they thought would be the final time Wednesday.  But, as it turned out, the case was far from over.

Jackson's attorney told the court he and his client would not be settling.

 

 

"We went ahead and waived our right to Grand Jury based on that agreement," Gary Haverstock told the court of an initial agreement made between his client and the Commonwealth.

In October, Jackson agreed to plead guilty to am mended charges of wanton endangerment in exchange for a 30 day sentence he could serve on weekends. But, the case got a new judge who threw out that deal, calling instead for a one year jail sentence.

Investigators say Zay Jackson, a starting guard for the Murray State basketball team, ran down the Clements back in September in the parking lot of the Murray Walmart.  Investigators say Jackson became enraged after Alia Clement made a comment about Jackson pushing a shopping cart into another car.

"I upped the ante, so to speak, so he does not want to plead guilty," McCracken County Circuit Judge Craig Clymer, a special judge on the case, told the court.

Judge Clymer said it was within Jackson's rights. But, he warned the court, he would not be as willing to work with Zay Jackson a second time.

"If he's indicted and it's a felony, it comes back here- all the offers are off the table," he said.

Alia Clement said later she was relived to hear the judge's words, "I'm kinda tired of the deal making anyway. Nobody made a deal with us when he ran us down in the Walmart parking lot."

Zay Jackson has been suspended from the Murray State basketball team for the remainder of the season.  Murray State tells Local 6 they will not be commenting until the case is settled.

The Grand Jury meets December 6th. If he is indicted, Zay Jackson's case would likely end with a jury trial.