Slain pastor Tommie Jackson's family wants charges against speeding rookie cop upgraded to manslaughter
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
CONNECTICUT: A Connecticut community is mourning the loss of Reverend Tommie Jackson, 69, who died in a tragic crash in July 2023.
Meanwhile, questions have been raised about the judicial proceedings against Zachary Lockwood, 24, the rookie cop whose motor vehicle misconduct led to a fatal collision with the beloved pastor.
Timeline of Zachary Lockwood's tragic crash
Lockwood's arrest on February 7, 2024 came after a six-month investigation, during which disturbing details emerged. The incident occurred as the officer, responding to a non-urgent callout, allegedly disregarded a dispatcher's orders to follow the flow of traffic.
Instead, he raced to the scene with a 'Code 3' response, reaching a speed of 65mph in a 25mph zone, resulting in a collision with Reverend Jackson. The charges against Lockwood, however, have come under scrutiny from the pastor's family, who are now pushing for an upgrade to second-degree manslaughter.
Darnell Crosland, the family's attorney, argued that the rookie cop "acted with such reckless disregard for human life" that the charges of misconduct with a motor vehicle fall short of reflecting the gravity of the situation. Crosland emphasized that the evidence presented during the state police investigation revealed more than mere negligence.
He stated, "I think that when you look at the evidence as it’s come out based on the state police investigation, it was more than just negligence, and I think misconduct with a motor vehicle sort of leans towards negligence," Daily Mail reported.
Zachary Lockwood ignored orders leading to tragedy
The details of the case indicate that Lockwood, against explicit orders, escalated the response to a 'Code 3,' demonstrating a level of recklessness that ultimately led to the tragic death of Reverend Jackson.
The inexperienced officer, along with a colleague, received instructions to handle the minor accident using a 'Code 1' response – a non-emergency procedure without lights or sirens, given the absence of injuries. Contrary to these directives, Lockwood purportedly chose to escalate the situation to a 'Code 3' with his fellow officer, with whom he was in communication.
The arrest warrant highlighted the other officer's immediate response, "Oh damn, don't go Code 3, go Code 2." In contrast to Code 3, which involves a 'Hot Response' with officers utilizing lights and sirens to reach a scene swiftly, Code 2 mandates the use of lights and sirens only when essential, particularly through intersections.
Victim's family calls for misconduct charge to be upgraded to manslaughter
Crosland argued that the charges should be upgraded to reflect Lockwood's extreme disregard for human life, a crucial element for a manslaughter conviction. In a press release, Crosland explained, "Recklessness is the crucial element of the offense."
"It means the defendant acted with conscious disregard for a substantial and unjustifiable risk of serious physical injury or death. It goes beyond negligence but does not require intent to kill and the defendant’s actions must be the direct and proximate cause of the victim’s death" Crosland added.
The family has also filed a lawsuit against Lockwood and the city for $100 million, emphasizing the enormous void Reverend Jackson's death has left in the community. Tributes for the late pastor have poured in, and the community remains in mourning. Stamford Mayor Carolien Simmons expressed her condolences, acknowledging the incident as an "unimaginable tragedy for our community and my prayers remain with Reverend Jackson’s family, and everyone involved."
