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Should he be allowed to play?

Quote:

Arrest may not keep HS star off field (football in Texas)
Dallas Morning News ^ | 8/10/2005 | Dave Lance

Posted on 08/10/2005 8:59:20 AM PDT by TrebleRebel

Brandon Jackson was easy to spot Monday at Lancaster High School's first football practice. He was the one running routes and throwing passes while wearing an ankle monitor so law enforcement officials could keep track of his whereabouts.

Jackson, who has drawn interest from major college football programs, awaits an Oct. 17 trial on six counts of aggravated robbery, each a first-degree felony punishable by a prison term of five to 99 years or life. According to a police report, Jackson admitted taking part in the robberies of six people at gunpoint during two incidents Jan. 18 in Garland and Mesquite.

Whether he should be allowed to play football while awaiting his trial is the subject of debate.

Lancaster school officials said he can play if the University Interscholastic League grants his request for a transfer waiver from North Mesquite High School, where he played for three seasons.
Scottie D. Allen, Jackson's attorney, said his client would plead not guilty at the trial.

Allen said he is optimistic Jackson will be eligible to play in Lancaster's season opener Sept. 3 at South Oak Cliff.

Standing in the way is a document signed by North Mesquite coach Steve Bragg, who said on a UIL form that Jackson's transfer was for athletic purposes. If the UIL agreed, Jackson would be ineligible.

"I'm not trying to keep the kid from playing," Bragg said. "But there are rules."

Though the Mesquite Independent School District does not have a rule about the eligibility of athletes accused of felonies, Bragg said he would not have allowed Jackson to play. MISD Athletic Director Mickey Delamar agreed. Both cited the Texas High School Coaches Association code of ethics.

Association executive director D.W. Rutledge said he was not aware of Jackson's case. He said the organization does not enforce its code.

"There is nothing we could or would do to penalize the coach," Rutledge said. "It either is or isn't ethical. Your consequences are, you are not ethical."

The UIL requires transfers not living with either a parent or a legal guardian to explain why the move was involuntary and unavoidable. After living with his sister last year in Mesquite while his mother lived in West Dallas, Jackson moved in with an uncle, Charles Lawrence, on March 16 after getting out of jail.

Lawrence has a letter from the Dallas County Community Supervision and Corrections Department that says Jackson must live at his Lancaster home as part of a court order.

Jackson is under house arrest. Now that school has started, he doesn't have to be in until 7:15 p.m. on weekdays. Jackson is not prohibited from participating in extracurricular activities.

Lancaster coach Andrew Jackson (no relation to Brandon) has welcomed Brandon to his team.

"Kids are kids," Jackson said. "Sometimes they make bad decisions. But you can't throw away a kid's life."

Principal Phill Randle and Lancaster ISD Superintendent Dr. Larry D. Lewis said they support coach Jackson's stance. Lewis said that to enroll at Lancaster, Jackson completed the district's alternative education program.

Lewis said he's talked to Jackson's uncle and mother and has reviewed the court documents. He said Jackson should be allowed to play football.

"My question is, why shouldn't he play?" Lewis said. "You're innocent until proven guilty. Our job is to educate students and give them another chance."

Lewis said he respects the THSCA but doesn't agree with its stance.

"This may be his only route to a college education. Who are we to take that away, by making him sit out?" Lewis asked.

"We're doing what's best for the kid, not what's best for the coaches association or best for society."

Last season as North Mesquite's go-to receiver, Jackson caught 37 passes for 705 yards and seven touchdowns and was named all-district. Oklahoma, Kansas State and Texas A&M sent letters to Jackson, indicating their interest in the 6-foot-1, 180-pounder.

But three months after North Mesquite's final game, Jackson was charged with aggravated robbery.

According to a police report, Jackson, former North Mesquite teammate Travon Wilson and an unidentified male robbed three men at gunpoint Jan. 18 at the Pecan Knoll Apartments parking lot in Garland. Police said that a victim was shot at while running away and that Jackson admitted in writing to firing the gun.

Manuel Escobar, a victim in the incident, said that a gun was pointed at his head as he handed over his cellphone and a wallet containing $15.

"I thought they were going to kill me," Escobar said. "He wouldn't take the gun away from my head."

Talking about the gunman, Escobar said, "He is going around doing bad things. One way or another, he needs to be punished. It would be justice if they put him in jail. It is not right."

Escobar did not identify Jackson as the gunman.

Hours after that robbery, two males robbed three men in the parking lot of Tradewind Apartments in Mesquite, a police report said. Police said that the three victims were robbed of a total of $255 and that one of them was struck in the head with a handgun.

The report said that Jackson admitted being the gunman and hitting the victim with the weapon. While leaving the scene in a Chevy Caprice, the suspects nearly hit another vehicle, police said. The vehicle's driver followed the suspects and reported the license plate number, police said.

The next day, Wilson and Jackson were arrested.

Jackson remained at the Lew Sterrett Justice Center from Jan. 19 to March 16. He was released after posting $45,000 bond.

Wilson pleaded guilty to six counts of aggravated robbery, received deferred adjudication and was given 10 years' probation, court records show. As part of probation, Wilson is serving 120 days in Dallas County Jail on work release, the district attorney's office said.

Wilson, 17, did not respond to an interview request.

Allen disputes that Jackson fired the gun in the direction of one of the victims.

"Obviously, the statement and some of what was written by the police is what's in dispute," Allen said. "The DA office wants him in the penitentiary. I don't think Brandon Jackson deserves to go to the pen.

"I'm not going to plead a kid of his character to the penitentiary."

Assistant district attorney Fred Burns declined to comment.

Jackson had no prior arrests and had a 3.53 grade-point average when he left North Mesquite.

Lawrence said his nephew has received fewer recruiting letters since his arrest, although one came from Kansas State in July. He said his problems stem from his being influenced by an older crowd. Jackson said his mother has raised him as a single parent since he was 7 but that he's never wanted for money, clothes or food.

Asked about the accusations, Jackson said, "I just say at the time I was lost, real confused on a lot of stuff. I couldn't really tell you what I was thinking. I can't tell you if I was thinking."

Jackson offered apologies to the victims.

"I know it might be hard for them to forgive me, but the best thing I can do is pray for them," Jackson said. "I pray for them every night. That's one thing I want to do. I feel bad for the family I hurt by doing this.

"My intent was never to hurt nobody in the first place."

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