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Man receives life in prison, times 3

He was found guilty for his role in the death of lottery winner Jeffrey Dampier Jr.

By COLLEEN JENKINS
Published April 13, 2007

TAMPA - Nathaniel Jackson survived a childhood fire that killed his younger brother and nine gunshot wounds inflicted by a Chicago street gang.

On Thursday, his luck ran out.

The 25-year-old received three concurrent life prison sentences for his role in the July 26, 2005, kidnapping, carjacking and shooting of Jeffrey Dampier Jr., a lottery winner who owned a gourmet popcorn shop in Channelside.

Prosecutor Jalal Harb described Jackson as the mastermind driven by greed and jealousy when he urged girlfriend Victoria Jackson to pull the trigger.

Even after the guilty verdicts, Jackson maintained that he had no control over the events.

"There's really nothing I could have done about it," he said.

Circuit Judge Ronald Ficarrotta disagreed. He quickly ran through Dampier's terrifying last hours; how his wrists were bound with shoestring before the couple stole his keys, took his money and drove him around southern Hillsborough with a gun to his head.

According to testimony, Nathaniel Jackson yelled "Shoot him!" before Victoria Jackson fired. She received three concurrent life sentences in September.

"I am sure that he sensed his impending death," Ficarrotta said of the victim.

Dampier's death brought an end to a complicated love triangle. He was both Victoria Jackson's brother-in-law and lover. His $20-million winnings from the Illinois lottery supported her and eventually her new boyfriend, Nathaniel Jackson.

Defense attorney Robert Fraser argued that Victoria Jackson shot Dampier without prompting because she hated him for the control he had over her life.

Fraser questioned the credibility of Terri Jackson, Victoria Jackson's sister who witnessed the crimes and testified for the state. Victoria Jackson said her sister tied Dampier's wrists and searched his pockets for money, but Terri Jackson was not charged.

The State Attorney's office has not ruled out prosecuting Terri Jackson, Harb said.

This week's focus, he told jurors, was squarely on Nathaniel Jackson and the actions that proved his guilt.

He didn't call 911 after the shooting. He fled to Jacksonville and spent Dampier's money on clothes and jewelry.

But he didn't spend all of it.

Money in his pocket was stained with Dampier's blood.

Colleen Jenkins can be reached at 813 226-3337 or cjenkins@sptimes.com.

[Last modified April 13, 2007, 01:01:25]