A man accused of killing a minister and her grandson refused a plea deal in a Florida courtroom on Wednesday, crying out for his mother during the proceedings. Reginald Louis Jackson, 40, rejected the agreement after realizing his family was not present, prompting him to yell, "I want my mom," according to NBC 6.
The Murders
Jackson and his alleged accomplice, Roderick Martin, 39, are charged with two counts of first-degree murder, robbery, kidnapping, and burglary in connection with the deaths of Annette Anderson, 69, and her grandson, Tyrone Lenard Walker Jr., 20. The victims were found bound with gunshot wounds to the back of their heads in July 2013 in Miami-Dade County. Police reported that several items were stolen from the scene, including Anderson's cell phone, debit card, and television, as well as Walker's Xbox and debit card.
Courtroom Drama
During the hearing at Miami-Dade Circuit Court, Judge Ellen Sue Venzer noted that the session was not scheduled but agreed to take it after defense attorneys indicated the men would plead guilty. Jackson, handcuffed to Martin, complained that his family had left the courthouse after being told the case would not be addressed. The judge scolded Jackson's attorneys, stating, "You had me bring them over. I said yes, really out of respect for y'all. I'm not playing games. We've been doing this for 13 years. Justice delayed is justice denied."
Jackson was set to accept a 40-year prison deal, while Martin sought a 25-year sentence. However, Martin's attempt to accept the deal without Jackson was rejected by prosecutors, who said the offer was contingent on both defendants accepting. Martin was given the alternative of testifying against Jackson, which he refused.
Legal History
Both men initially faced the death penalty, but in 2022, a judge declared Jackson intellectually disabled, making him ineligible for capital punishment. Prosecutors later waived the death penalty for Martin on March 30. DNA and cellphone records reportedly linked Martin to the crime scene. Jackson, who lived in the same neighborhood, allegedly made two phone calls to Anderson's home shortly before the murders and left DNA at the scene. At the time, Jackson was on probation after serving a five-year sentence for burglaries. He was arrested at his girlfriend's home, where authorities found a silver Acura matching surveillance footage of a car leaving Anderson's property. Martin was on bond awaiting trial for illegally carrying a firearm.
The men are scheduled to return to court on May 6 for a jury trial, where they face up to life in prison if convicted. The relationship between the suspects and victims remains unclear. Anderson was a minister at Jesus People Ministries Church and hosted weekly Bible study sessions, while Walker had lived in the area for only three months while attending ITT Tech.
