Jackson gets life in prison after murder

CARUTHERSVILLE - Timmy Jackson was convicted of first-degree murder Tuesday.

Evidence in the case showed that on Nov. 30, 2002, Jackson and his stepfather, Robert Hudson, murdered Jimmy Grills by shooting, stabbing and cutting him. Grill, 52, lived on the south side of Highway 84 between Hayti and Kennett.

Jackson was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of probation or parole by Circuit Judge Fred W. Copeland.

Hudson was tried and convicted of the same offense Nov. 10, 2003, and is also serving a life sentence without the possibility of probation or parole.

"This was a particularly brutal and heinous crime," said Pemiscot County Prosecuting Attorney Michael B. Hazel. "It took hard work and dedication by Sheriff Tommy Greenwell's department with the aid of the Missouri State Highway Patrol to solve this case and bring these two murderers to justice."

Hazel said that murder cases with no living witnesses other than the perpetrators are extremely difficult to solve.

"Sheriff Greenwell and his officers worked many hours over a long period of time prior to solving this terrible crime. Without the hard work and dedication of the sheriff's department and Missouri Highway Patrol, I would have been unable to successfully prosecute this case."