Victim of 2021 shooting found dead on couch
Nancy Bergeron Nancy@rustonleader.com
Sunday, May 22, 2022
Jury selection is expected to begin Tuesday in the second-degree murder trial of Willie D. Jackson, of Ruston.
Jackson, 56, is charged with the 2021 shooting death of James Lamont Melton. The incident reportedly happened in Jackson’s home on Heard Road. Sheriff’s deputies found Melton dead on the couch.
At the time of his arrest, Jackson reportedly told Lincoln Parish sheriff’s investigators he and Melton had been drinking and that Melton became angry and frustrated.
Sometime later, Jackson asked Melton to leave. That’s when Melton supposedly lunged at Jackson and when Jackson allegedly shot him, causing Melton to fall on the couch.
Jackson supposedly shot Melton a second time when Melton tried to get up off the couch. Jackson told investigators he thought Melton had a knife, but the initial reports say detectives didn’t find one.
If a jury convicts Jackson of seconddegree murder, he’ll spend the rest of his life in jail.