Judge Eugene A. Stewart
Prosecutor: James Humphrey
Defense: Terrance Richmond, Ronald Richmer
Date of Murder: October 9, 1986
Victim(s): Michelle Seagraves W/F/22 (No relationship to Jackson)
Method of Murder: shooting .41 handgun; strangulation with a strap
Summary: Michelle Seagraves was kidnapped as she was getting into her car in an apartment complex parking lot in Columbus, Ohio. Witnesses identified Stuart Kennedy as driving Seagraves' Ford Grenada while holding a woman down in the seat. Other witnesses identified a Corvette following the Ford Grenada from Columbus to Moores Hill, Indiana. The license plate of the Corvette showed it registered to Jackson. On the same day, the Peoples National Bank in Moores Hill was robbed by 2 men matching the description of Jackson and Kennedy. The Ford Grenada was identified as the getaway car. Jackson was arrested at his home in Columbus, Ohio as he was getting into the Corvette. Officers recovered $5000 in cash, a .45 handgun, and a submachine gun from the car. Jackson gave a complete confession, directing Officers to the body of Seagraves. An autopsy showed she had been strangled with a strap still on her neck, and shot once in the back of the neck through her head. Jackson also directed Officers to the bloody clothing worn by Kennedy and Jackson discarded in a dumpster.
Conviction: Murder, Felony-Murder(Robbery), Felony-Murder(Kidnapping), Robbery (A Felony), Kidnapping (A Felony)
Sentencing: June 7, 1988 (Death Sentence, 50 years, 50 years consecutive)
Aggravating Circumstances: b (1) Robbery, b (1) Kidnapping
Mitigating Circumstances: uncertainty as to triggerman
Direct Appeal:
Jackson v. State, 597 N.E.2d 950 (Ind. August 19, 1992)
Conviction Affirmed 5-0
DP Vacated 3-2 and remanded to impose term of years
(Judge findings overruling jury
recommendation fails to meet Martinez test, due to
uncertainty as to who was triggerman)
Shepard Opinion; Debruler, Krahulik concur; Givan, Dickson dissent.
Judge Overrides Jury Recommendation against DP
Companion Case to Kennedy
Jackson v. Indiana, 113 S. Ct. 1424 (1993) (Cert. denied)
On Remand: Jackson v. State, 625 N.E.2d
1219 (1993)
(Appeal after remand and 160 year sentence
imposed; Affirmed)