DJ faces murder charge in nightclub shooting

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By David Ibata

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A Fulton County judge ruled Wednesday that a deejay should face felony murder and other charges in the shooting death of a nightclub customer, Channel 2 Action News reported.

Fulton County Sheriff's Office, Fulton County Sheriff's Office Johnny Jackson III, who goes by the stage name DJ Outlaw, is accused of firing a shotgun at Mark Williams on Jan. 16, killing him in the parking lot of Rockafella s Nightclub on Old National Highway in south Fulton County.

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Johnny Jackson III, who goes by the stage name “DJ Outlaw,” is accused of firing a shotgun at Mark Williams last month, killing him in the parking lot of Rockafella’s Nightclub on Old National Highway in south Fulton County.

Jackson’s defense attorney said his client acted in self-defense. Police and prosecutors disputed that.

“The victim was shot five times with a shotgun,” Fulton County police Detective J.S. Rittberg said. One witness, Rittberg said, told police that she saw Jackson “fire a couple of times and then stand over the victim and fire more.”

The incident occurred the night of Jan. 16. Williams allegedly attacked Jackson in the club for not playing his CD and was told to leave. Later, the deejay said he was outside walking to his truck when he saw Williams approaching with a gun in his hand.

Morris Fair, Jackson’s defense attorney, argued that Jackson fired his own weapon in self-defense.

“You have an absolute right to defend yourself if you feel you're being threatened. And you have the right to use force -- deadly force if necessary,” Fair said.

But police and prosecutors said witnesses told them they did not see Williams with a gun. Nor was a weapon found on the man’s body, they said.

“No one has stated, aside from Mr. Jackson, that the victim had a weapon,” Rittberg said.

Judge Karen Woodson found there was probable cause to send the case to a grand jury. Besides felony murder, Jackson faces charges of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.