After deputy found not guilty, family claims shooting probe 'biased'

Matthew Jackson shot to death by BCSO deputy

SAN ANTONIO – The family of a man shot and killed by an off-duty Bexar County sheriff’s deputy is critical of the investigation that followed the shooting.

Deputy Anthony Thomas, who has since been fired, claimed that he shot Matthew Jackson, 29, in self-defense after the two had been involved in a minor traffic accident in the pre-dawn hours of August 31, 2013.

Thomas told investigators that he feared for his life and shot Jackson as he approached his car.

On Tuesday a jury found Thomas not guilty of murder charges.

“A lot of disappointment, although I wasn’t surprised,” said Jackson’s brother, Patrick, as he talked about the verdict.

He was critical of the sheriff’s office’s investigation.

“Biased, very biased,” Jackson said. “They only took the word of their officer and did not look at the full picture.”

The family is asking for a change in policy at the sheriff’s office. A policy that dictates that an independent agency investigate shootings involving sheriff’s deputies.

Sheriff Susan Pamerleau’s office issued a statement when asked to respond to the Jackson families concerns.

It said, in part, “This was a tragic event and there are no winners.”

The statement continued saying that “A comprehensive criminal investigation was conducted, then turned over to the district attorney and the FBI for review.”


About the Author:

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