No Charges For Attack On TV Crew At Murder Scene

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) -- No charges will be filed against mourners who allegedly attacked a local TV film crew in February.

Chester Jackson was shot and killed in the parking lot of the IHOP restaurant in North Natomas early in the morning of February 20, 2011. Later that day, mourners gathered near the restaurant for a vigil and create a makeshift memorial for Jackson. Other TV reporters had gone to the vigil, but were told by the family that they did not want to be interviewed or filmed.

When Reporter John Lobertini and Photographer Rebecca Little from KTXL-TV arrived, reporters from other stations warned them that the family had been hostile and had asked not to filmed. Despite the warning, Lobertini and Little approached the mourners who asked them to leave, according to Sacramento County District Attorney Jan Scully. When they stayed and filmed at close range, declaring their right to film in a public place, some of the mourners got angry and a scuffle ensued. Little was pulled to the ground and kicked, while Lobertini appeared to be hit on the face.

 
Derek Shore's Report From The Scene

 
Raw video: Contains GRAPHIC CONTENT

Chester's mother, Carol Jackson, told CBS13 that her family became furious when the news crew told the mourners they had the right to videotape her family's vigil.

"They refused to step away and the actions were taken out of deep emotions from my son's passing," said Chester's mother, Carol Jackson.

Lobertini and Little did not file criminal charges initially.

Chester Jackson III, who is believed to be the father of the shooting victim, allegedly pushed the camera away and may have swung his fist at Lobertini. A second suspect, Jacqueline Jackson, the victim's sister, allegedly kicked Little while Little was on the ground.

Scully said that although the suspects' behavior qualifies as unacceptable, and in Jacqueline's case, qualifies as misdemeanor assault, given the context a jury may not have found Jacqueline guilty. She went on to say that Lobertini and Little failed to identify the suspects in a police lineup.

The person who pulled Little to the ground will not face charges because she was not identified by police.

The suspects in the shooting turned themselves in to authorities four days after the shooting.