Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   Related Stories • Mariner High to retire soccer star Nick DeSimone's jersey after the young man's murder 4/22/08 • Everett man who killed soccer star to be sentenced today 4/22/08   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 Soccer star's killer gets nearly 28 years in prison By Jim Haley Herald Writer An Everett man was sentenced to nearly 28 years in prison today for slipping into a Stanwood-area home in August and fatally shooting a former Mariner High School soccer star. Dustin Maurice Jackson, 19, received the top punishment allowed under state sentencing guidelines during an emotional court hearing held under heavy security. He pleaded guilty in February to first-degree murder, admitting he shot Nicholas DeSimone in the head as the young man slept on the floor of his girlfriend’s home. Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Larry McKeeman said he agreed with Vince DeSimone, the soccer star’s father, who described the killing as “a senseless execution.” At one point, Vince DeSimone attempted to jump over a railing separating onlookers from the front of the courtroom. He was restrained by his son, Michael, and several uniformed Snohomish County sheriff’s officers. Later, DeSimone was allowed to address McKeeman. DeSimone stood with and leaned on sheriff’s homicide detective Brad Pince while he spoke. The hearing was charged with emotion. When Jackson was ushered into the courtroom from a side door, he was greeted by cries of “Devil, hi Devil.” There were similar jeers by DeSimone supporters at the end when Jackson was escorted out the same door to a jail elevator. Prosecutors alleged that Jackson shot DeSimone, 19, out of jealousy. DeSimone was dating a 16-year-old girl who used to go out with Jackson. Jackson made attempts to regain the girl’s affection, and once told her: “I know you are going to be mine again,” according to court documents. Public defender Natalie Tarantino didn’t address the court, but an evaluation she had done on Jackson posed another motive for the crime — bad blood between members of the two families. Court documents say that Jackson slipped through a sliding glass door that didn’t lock properly and shot DeSimone in the head as he slept on the floor. Neighbors saw a car similar to Jackson’s leaving the area about the time of the shooting. In his plea papers, Jackson said he shot the former Mariner High School soccer star because DeSimone made statements he interpreted as threats to him and his family.

1. Good grief! 2. Swine flu lingers, making traditional flu season unpredictable 3. Two vie to serve as Snohomish County prosecutor 4. Last hurrah for Huskies’ Locker? 5. Koster for Congress? He’s still undecided 6. Here’s how home foreclosure sales really work 7. A store credit card can save you cash, but is it worth it? 8. New site sought for Snohomish pool project 9. Families get an early gift: free Christmas trees 10. Prep Roundup: Lake Stevens wins two wrestling meets 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Wildcats fall to familar foe in semis • ‘Nutcracker' times three • Road warrior • Mavericks reloading • Holiday Lightings & Santa Sightings • Cities prepare for winter blast repeat • Wolfpack duo takes last shot at state tourney • This Weekend in Your Town • Tips for the stormy season • Boeing will build, flight test and deliver 787s in South Carolina to spe ... • Snohomish County EDC promoting job growth in key industry clusters • $4 million grant to advance brain tumor research has Everett links • Providence medical center construction tops off its 12-story steel frame ... • Tulalip affordable housing project to be financed by KeyBank, Raymond Ja ... • Arlington's Lak of Ink has a growing following for Luke Kooyman's creati ... • Bank of the Northwest formed • Cascade Bank earns $1.6 million