About the case
On March 27, 2009 Noura Jackson was sentenced to 20 years and nine months for the 2005 murder of her mother Jennifer Jackson. The 23 year-old was convicted of second-degree murder for stabbing her mother over 50 times. Largely due to its sensational nature, the case gained both local and nation attention and was featured on the CBS show, 48 Hours Mystery.
This website focuses on the facts of the case, as well as the impact of the media coverage. The site gives voice to parties involved in the investigation and trial, including Jackson's attorneys, the judge who presided in the case, as well as one of the defendant's closest friends. The idea is to gather pertinent information about the Jackson trial in one place, so that those interested in the impact of media in the courtroom can understand the perceptions of its effects involving a single, high-profile case.
This website focuses on the facts of the case, as well as the impact of the media coverage. The site gives voice to parties involved in the investigation and trial, including Jackson's attorneys, the judge who presided in the case, as well as one of the defendant's closest friends. The idea is to gather pertinent information about the Jackson trial in one place, so that those interested in the impact of media in the courtroom can understand the perceptions of its effects involving a single, high-profile case.
Hear first hand from the former homicide detective in the Noura Jackson case, Tim Helldorfer, as he discusses his view on the media coverage of the case. Watch other videos of key players offering their perceptions of how the media did or did not affect this trial.
Timeline of the case
Noura Jackson was sentenced on March 27, 2009. This video provides footage from the actual sentencing.
Jennifer Jackson was stabbed over 50 times in her East Memphis home. These pictures show some key scenes in the case.
Q & A
Read as Memphis court reporter Lawrence Buser answers questions about covering the Noura Jackson case, as well as other insights on media and the legal system.
A former friend of Noura Jackson talks about her experience testifying in court.
How long were you and Noura friends?
I don’t think we started hanging out until probably 8th grade. She was on my basketball team at Holy Communion, so I was around her. But she wasn’t my best friend by any means. She was definitely always the girl that your parents didn’t want you to hang out with. She was a little bit more mature than everybody else, developed before everybody else. She was that girl that your parents said, “Maybe there’s something a little off here.” But everyone still hung out with her anyways.
What was Noura’s relationship with her mom like?
It wasn’t very motherly daughterly. It was very much like they were friends. But her mom definitely had an issue with getting her to do what she was supposed to do. And her mom worked all the time. She was supposed to finish the Gateway (GED) work and she wasn’t getting it done. I think her mom was done. Her attitude was, ‘I’m tired of putting up with it; you can either do this or figure it out.'
Read more of Sophie Cooley's interview...
A former friend of Noura Jackson talks about her experience testifying in court.
How long were you and Noura friends?
I don’t think we started hanging out until probably 8th grade. She was on my basketball team at Holy Communion, so I was around her. But she wasn’t my best friend by any means. She was definitely always the girl that your parents didn’t want you to hang out with. She was a little bit more mature than everybody else, developed before everybody else. She was that girl that your parents said, “Maybe there’s something a little off here.” But everyone still hung out with her anyways.
What was Noura’s relationship with her mom like?
It wasn’t very motherly daughterly. It was very much like they were friends. But her mom definitely had an issue with getting her to do what she was supposed to do. And her mom worked all the time. She was supposed to finish the Gateway (GED) work and she wasn’t getting it done. I think her mom was done. Her attitude was, ‘I’m tired of putting up with it; you can either do this or figure it out.'
Read more of Sophie Cooley's interview...
