One of the seven defendants charged in the Feb. 2012 fatal shooting of a Norcross valedictorian and football star testified Wednesday that an alleged accomplice admitted his guilt.
Murder charges were dropped against Timothy Johnson, 35, after he agreed to testify against the other six members of a crew that prosecutors say was assembled to steal at least $1 million rumored to be stashed inside the home of convicted cocaine trafficker Nicolas Jackson.
The big score never materialized. Johnson — who received a 15-year prison sentence in exchange for his testimony — and Jason Dozier, the first of the group scheduled to stand trial, were arrested along with the others less than a mile away from the Autry Road home where 15-year-old Nick Jackson was killed.
Johnson, who did not go inside the home but drove the getaway vehicle, testified that Dozier, 37, acknowledged firing shots into teen’s bedroom door along with co-defendant Anthony Lumpkin, who will be tried in November with the other alleged members of the crew: Rico Dehaven West, Eddie Lewis Green, Michael Davis and Darrez Lamontz Chandler.
“I had to shoot with (Lumpkin),” said Johnson, quoting Dozier. Jackson was felled by a single bullet that lodged in his heart.
Jackson’s father testified Wednesday he did not know any of the men charged in connection to his son’s death.
Nick Jackson Sr. said he had sold drugs “off and on” for 15 years and resumed dealing cocaine when the real estate market tanked about 5 years ago. In a good week, he testified he’d distribute up to 20 kilos, or more than 40 pounds.
His family was unaware he sold drugs, Jackson Sr. said.
“I tried my best to keep it from them,” he testified, adding he was careful not to spend a lot of money.
Dozier’s attorney, Andrew Margolis, said in his opening statement his client “had no intent to cause anyone’s death and in fact did not cause the death.”
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