On November 11, 2014, police in Ramsey County, Minnesota arrested 42-year-old Sammy Jackson on an outstanding misdemeanor warrant. When police searched him, they found a bag of a white powdery substance that field-tested positive for heroin.
On December 3, 2014, Jackson pled guilty in Ramsey County Circuit Court to possession of a controlled substance. He was sentenced to 15 months in prison.
On March 15, 2015, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension crime laboratory tested the powder and found no controlled substance present. Lab officials notified the Ramsey County District Attorney's Office, which then notified Jackson's attorney.
On March 16, 2015, the prosecution and defense requested that Jackson's conviction be vacated. The motion was granted, the prosecution dismissed the charge, and Jackson was released.
In May 2017, Jackson filed a claim for compensation from the state of Minnesota. In 2018, he was awarded $20,446.
- Maurice Possley
On December 3, 2014, Jackson pled guilty in Ramsey County Circuit Court to possession of a controlled substance. He was sentenced to 15 months in prison.
On March 15, 2015, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension crime laboratory tested the powder and found no controlled substance present. Lab officials notified the Ramsey County District Attorney's Office, which then notified Jackson's attorney.
On March 16, 2015, the prosecution and defense requested that Jackson's conviction be vacated. The motion was granted, the prosecution dismissed the charge, and Jackson was released.
In May 2017, Jackson filed a claim for compensation from the state of Minnesota. In 2018, he was awarded $20,446.
- Maurice Possley
Posting Date: 08-26-2017
Last Update Date: 08-14-2018
Case Details:
State:
Minnesota
County:
Ramsey
Most Serious Crime:
Drug Possession or Sale
Reported Crime Date:
2014
Convicted:
2014
Exonerated:
2015
Sentence:
Term of Years
Race / Ethnicity:
Black
Sex:
Male
Age at the date of reported crime:
42
Contributing Factors:
False or Misleading Forensic Evidence
Did DNA evidence contribute to the exoneration?:
No