Murder trial for former BCSO deputy continues

Matthew Jackson shot, killed following minor traffic wreck

SAN ANTONIO – Family took the stand Monday in the murder trial of Matthew Jackson.

In halting sobs Erica Fitts told how she became concerned when her common law husband Matthew Jackson, 29, had not come home from a late night visit to a friend’s home on the morning of Aug. 31, 2013.

“He was my best friend,” Fitts testified, her voice cracking with emotion. “He got me.”

Her testimony came Monday morning as the murder trial of Anthony Thomas drew to a close.

Thomas, was a Bexar County sheriff’s deputy at the time. He was off duty and in uniform when he and Jackson were involved in a minor traffic accident on Loop 1604.

He said that he felt threatened as Jackson approached him as he sat in his car. He fired eight shots.  One struck Jackson in the heart. He managed to stagger back to his car where he collapsed and died.

According to earlier testimony, Jackson was unarmed.

Fitts said that she became concerned when her husband did not answer calls or texts and began to drive around looking for him along Loop 1604.

“I was in the fast lane and I saw Matt’s car on the other side of the highway with his legs sticking out and I could see him slumped over in the driver’s seat,” she testified.

Other friends and relatives too had been looking for Jackson, including his brother Patrick.  He too came upon the scene.

“I could see my brother sitting in the car with his feet sticking out,” he testified.

He said that his brother did not own a gun and respected law enforcement officers.

Closing arguments and jury deliberations are set for Tuesday morning in Judge Ron Rangel’s 379th District Court.

Thomas is facing a maximum sentence of life in prison if he is convicted.


About the Author:

Paul Venema is a courthouse reporter for KSAT with more than 25 years experience in the role.