Murder suspect argued self-defense, but Macon judge denied it. What happened?
A murder suspect admitted to violating his probation the day he allegedly shot and killed someone in a Macon convenience store and gas station in Macon, according to Susan Ryan, spokesperson for the Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office.
Nicktarios Kinder claimed in a hearing in front of Judge Connie Williford on Sept. 18 that he shot Jamon Jackson on Sept. 16, 2023, in self-defense. Williford determined in an order from Nov. 7 that Kinder failed to prove that Jackson was about to harm him, even though it was “a close call.”
After Williford’s decision, Kinder pleaded guilty to violating probation on Tuesday, according to Ryan. However, his murder, assault, and firearm case relating to Jackson’s death remains open. Kinder will serve 15 years in prison as a result.
“This was a tragic loss of life that resulted from an unlawful possession of a firearm by someone who knew he was prohibited from carrying one,” said District Attorney Anita Howard. “While the defendant claimed self-defense, the evidence did not support immunity from prosecution. In addition, when you violate your probation, this office will hold you accountable for your violations.”
Victim’s hand never left his pocket
Kinder went into the Macon convenience store and gas station late at night on Sept. 16, 2023, to get something to drink, but he hung out inside the store for approximately an hour before the incident. Despite being on probation, he admitted to possessing a Glock 9mm handgun and knew he couldn’t carry it, but had it anyway for safety, according to Williford’s order.
Jackson then walked into the store with another person. Kinder and Jackson had known each other for over 10 years, while he had known the other person for over 15 years. Kinder also knew that Jackson had a gun and that he had been indicted for murder, but his case was inactive, according to Williford’s order.
Jackson and the other person walked directly to Kinder to confront him, and asked him, “Aren’t you the guy who shot me?” according to Williford’s order.
But Kinder didn’t know what he was talking about. Jackson continued confronting him, urging him to go outside with him or else he would harm Kinder, according to Williford’s order.
Believing that Jackson was going to pull a gun from the pocket of his hoodie, Kinder believed he was going to be shot. So Kinder shot first, with one shot hitting him in the head, according to Williford’s order.
It was the video footage of the store that showed Williford that Kinder shouldn’t be immune from prosecution. She saw in the video a “very slight, almost imperceptible, movement from Mr. Jackson’s right hand in his pocket,” but he never took his hands from his pocket when Kinder shot Jackson, according to Williford’s order. He was also looking in a different direction.
Ultimately, Jackson did not exhibit any behavior that threatened Kinder’s life.
