A jury convicted Michael Higginbotham for the murder of Jermaine Jackson Jr. while he was working to remove graffiti
San Francisco, CA – Today, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced that her office secured a first-degree murder (PC 187(a)) conviction of Michael Higginbotham (33) after trial by jury. The jury also found true allegations that the murder involved the personal use of a firearm (PC 12022.53(d)) and firing from a vehicle (PC 12022.55). Higginbotham killed Jermaine Jackson Jr. at approximately 8:00 AM on November 30, 2016, while he was painting over graffiti, pursuant to his job duties with San Francisco Public Works, on an electrical box at the intersection of 25th Street and Vermont Street. Higginbotham shot Mr. Jackson multiple times from his vehicle and fled the scene.
“After years of delays, our team earned a conviction ensuring that Mr. Higginbotham will finally face consequences for this callous murder,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “Victims and their families deserve justice, and we will continue to fight for justice and accountability in the courtroom as we bring cases forward.”
The case against Higginbotham was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Dane Reinstedt with assistance from paralegals Jessica Diamond and Tony Yu and intern James Quick. Victim Advocate Jovan Thomas worked closely with the victim’s family throughout the case. Prosecutors were able to develop a strong case against Higginbotham based on the careful investigative work performed by the San Francisco Police Department’s Homicide investigators and Community Violence Reduction Team. District Attorney Investigators Tim Weaver, Chris Mufarreh and Doug Keely also helped develop this case and assisted prosecutors.
“I want to thank the jury for their service and care in reaching this decision,” said Dane Reinstedt, Assistant District Attorney. “Their verdict holds Mr. Higginbotham accountable for the murder of Jermaine Jackson Jr. and I hope that this verdict also brings some sense of justice to his family after these many years.”
Higginbotham has been in custody since his arrest on November 30, 2016. He faces life in prison without the possibility of parole. Sentencing will be determined at a future court date, which has not yet been set.
Court Number: 16021040
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