An Everett man on Wednesday told a judge he shot and killed a former Mariner High School soccer star because the victim made threats against him and his family.
Dustin Maurice Jackson, 19, slipped through an unlocked door of a Stanwood-area home and shot Nicholas DeSimone in the head as he slept on the floor next to his girlfriend.
Jackson pleaded guilty to first-degree murder Wednesday in Snohomish County Superior Court.
Many DeSimone family members and friends attended the emotion-charged hearing, which was held under rigid security.
The victim’s father yelled after Jackson as custody officers ushered him from the courtroom. Others openly wept during the proceeding.
Judge Larry McKeeman scheduled sentencing for April 22.
Jackson is looking at a prison term between about 21 and 28 years. Joan Cavagnaro, chief criminal deputy prosecutor, said she will ask for the high end of the sentencing range. Public defender Natalie Tarantino can argue for a lower term.
In his guilty plea statement, Jackson admitted “premeditated intent” to kill DeSimone, also 19.
“I killed him because he made what I considered credible threats against me and my family members,” Jackson wrote in plea paperwork. “I realize that this does not constitute a defense to my actions.”
DeSimone was shot once behind his left ear, according to court documents.
Jackson previously dated DeSimone’s 16-year-old girlfriend. Documents said Jackson was angry about her new relationship. Police believe DeSimone and his girlfriend fell asleep on the floor while watching television, documents said.
When questioned by police in August, Jackson denied being at his ex-girlfriend’s house that day, and said he didn’t know anything about DeSimone being injured, according to documents.
At the time, the girl told police she didn’t hear the gunshot. She said she was dreaming of fireworks and smoke. When she tried to wake up DeSimone, she saw blood on his pillow and screamed, documents said.
A neighbor reported seeing a car similar to the one driven by Jackson leaving the area early that morning, documents said.
Reporter Jim Haley: 425-339-3447 or jhaley@heraldnet.com.
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