The Washington Department of Corrections said that an inmate released from prison prior to his earned release date because of an error was charged with killing his girlfriend during the period of time when he should have been in jail.
KEY DEVELOPMENTS:
- 3,200 offenders may have been released
- Problems dates back to 2002
- 5 of the offenders returned to prison
- Broader software fix is expected in place by Jan. 2016
- One of the offenders released early in error was charged in crash that killed woman, which happened before correct release date
The DOC said Robert Jackson was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide in November and is currently in custody.
Jackson is accused of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol when he crashed his Lexus into a utility box in Bellevue on Nov. 11, killing his 35-year-old girlfriend, Lindsey Hill.
Jackson was released from prison on Aug. 10 and was under DOC supervision at the time of the incident. His correct release date should have been Dec. 6.
Hill, who was a passenger in the car, was found dead on the ground next to the Lexus.
Police said he then fled the scene. Jackson was found the next morning, covered in blood and walking around an apartment building near the site of the crash.
“The justice system isn’t working and it hasn’t been working for quite some time,” Hill’s friend and neighbor Mark Dearinger said upon learning of the news. “I just feel really sorry for the children that have to grow up without a mother. Because of this, things like this, children grow up without parents. It’s not good, and it’s not right.”
The DOC said it is reviewing records for any additional inmates who may have committed new crimes.
“Nothing I can say will bring back Ms. Hill. I deeply regret that this happened,” DOC secretary Dan Pacholke said. “On behalf of the Department of Corrections, I apologize.”
A friend said Hill met Jackson when he was in prison and wanted to be part of giving him a second chance.
“My kids played with Lindsay's kids, yeah she was a nice lady,” said neighbor Shane Lux. “I think she just met up with the wrong gentleman.”
Last week the state announced that as many as 3,200 convicts were released early by mistake.
“It was a big mistake, definitely," Lux said. "Lindsay would still be here."
While announcing the mistake, Gov. Jay Inslee was visibly angry.
“When you have murderers and rapists and armed robbers they have to follow the law,” the governor said.
Today he called Lindsay Hill's family to apologize:
"Today's news from DOC is absolutely gut-wrenching and heart-breaking. There is nothing that can right this horrible wrong. We must make sure nothing like this happens again."
Jackson is now in jail facing vehicular homicide and hit-and-run charges. His next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 27.
About the Author
