On a tragic day in January 2017, the life of 42-year-old Nekia Jackson, a female manager of a laundromat in Del City, Oklahoma, was brutally cut short. The incident, which occurred at the Laundry Station, also claimed the life of a customer, 60-year-old Russ Roberts. Roberts had heroically attempted to intervene in what appeared to be a robbery, but tragically, both he and Jackson were shot and killed.
The double homicide sent shockwaves through the community, leaving friends and family to grapple with the sudden and violent loss of their loved ones.
In the days that followed, law enforcement worked diligently to bring the person responsible to justice. Their investigation led them to Roshaun Bernard Jones, a 33-year-old mixed martial arts fighter with a history of legal troubles. Jones was promptly arrested and faced a litany of serious charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, robbery with a firearm, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The arrest brought a glimmer of hope for the families of Nekia Jackson and Russ Roberts, who were desperate for answers and accountability. The case against Jones seemed to be moving forward, with the expectation of a trial that would finally shed light on the events of that fateful day.
However, the path to justice took an unexpected and heart-wrenching turn. After years of legal proceedings, the Oklahoma County District Attorney's Office made the stunning announcement in September 2024 that the murder charges against Roshaun Jones were being dismissed. The decision was not a reflection of Jones's innocence but rather the result of a series of unforeseen obstacles that had plagued the case. These challenges included the untimely death of the lead detective and one of Jones's public defenders, the retirement of a judge, and the widespread disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. While the charges were dismissed without prejudice, meaning they could be refiled in the future, the case is currently not considered closed. Jones remains incarcerated, serving a 15-year sentence for unrelated drug charges. For the families of Nekia Jackson and Russ Roberts, the dismissal has meant a painful continuation of their quest for justice, as the investigation into the tragic deaths at the Del City laundromat remains open.
