By Michelle Hunter
The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate
HOUSTON — A 22-year-old man facing trial in Houston for the murders of off-duty New Orleans Police Detective Everett Briscoe and one of his fellow Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club members has pleaded guilty in the case, according to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
Frederick Jackson, of San Antonio, agreed on Tuesday to be sentenced to 60 years in prison for the 2021 killings which occurred while Briscoe, 41, and New Orleans businessman Dyrin “DJ” Riculfy, 43, were on a guys’ trip to Houston.
“We wanted him to admit guilt for both murders and go to prison for the equivalent of a life sentence, and this accomplishes both of those goals,” Harris County Assistant District Attorney Keaton Forcht said. “It was important to the families of the victims that he take responsibility.”
Houston police called the Aug. 21, 2021, homicides a botched robbery. Briscoe and Riculfy were in Houston with other Zulu members from New Orleans.
Authorities say Jackson as his co-defendants, Anthony Rayshard Jenkins, 24, and Khalil Nelson, 21, had been targeting areas such as the Galleria looking for victims to rob of their jewelry and other high-end property.
Briscoe and Riculfy were on the patio of Grotto Ristorante near the Galleria when the robbery crew spotted Riculfy’s Saints jersey and what looked to be an expensive watch, according to authorities. They decided the target the men, leading to the fatal shootings.
Briscoe was pronounced dead scene. Riculfy died Aug. 31 after spending 10 days in the hospital.
Jackson’s trial was scheduled to begin Tuesday, but he agreed to a plea deal, the DA’s office said. Relatives of the victims will travel to Houston next week and be allowed to give victim impact statements.
Jackson can’t appeal the murder convictions or the prison sentence, according to the DA’s office. He must serve 30 years in prison before he is eligible for parole.
His co-defendants are still awaiting trial.
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