ATLANTA MAN KILLED OVER 20-DOLLARS

Joshua R. Jackson Sentenced to Life For the Murder of 46-Year-Old Okedus McClure

Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. announces the conviction Thursday of 18-year-old Joshua Rashard Jackson of Atlanta in the June 2007 beating and subsequent death of 46-year-old Okedus (Kenny-Boo) McClure. A Superior Court jury deliberated for 2-and-a-half hours to find the defendant guilty of malice murder, felony murder and aggravated assault. Judge Wendy Shoob sentenced Jackson to life in prison.

On Saturday, June 30, 2007, the victim purchased $20.00 worth of cocaine from the defendant using a $20.00 bill the defendant thought was counterfeit. After going to find his stepfather, the defendant went to the Bankhead Court Apartments where Mr. McClure was staying, armed with a baseball bat. The defendant beat the victim across the head with the bat causing multiple fractures and brain injury. McClure lay in a vegetative state for 7 days and died on July 7, 2007.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Senior Assistant District Attorney Fani Willis. The investigation was conducted by Atlanta Police Department Detective David Coleman and Beth Suber of the DA's Investigations Unit. Scott Long of the DA's Victim-Witness Assistance Program provided those services.

CONTACT: Lyn Vaughn, 404.730.6860 (office); 770.597.6963 (cell); lyn.vaughn@co.fulton.ga.us