Aaron Jackson in court Thursday morning.
/ photo: Craig McDowell
SYRACUSE -- A mother who had an outburst in court at her son's sentencing was escorted out of an Onondaga County courtroom Thursday.
Aaron Jackson was sentenced to 25 years to life for shooting at a Syracuse police officer back in August. Under a plea agreement, Jackson admitted he shot at the officer after a reported robbery at a restaurant on South Avenue. Jackson and another man then went into an apartment building which led to a standoff with police.
In court Thursday, Jackson tried to fire his lawyer, Susan Carey and have the plea withdrawn. The judge denied both. Jackson's mother Alisa said her son was "railroaded" as she was escorted out of the courtroom. According to Alisa Jackson, Carey did little in representing her son. Alisia Jackson says the defense attorney gave them no time to think about the plea deal, missed arraignment dates, and did not have enough visits with her son.
"I believe in due process," Alisa Jackson said. "If my son is guilty of this then he must do his time but he needs a fair chance to be able to have his case presented and he did not have that."
Carey said Aaron Jackson has requested a notice of appeal be filed, and she will not be the lawyer on that. She is not commenting on the allegations made by Jackson's mother.
"It would be inappropriate at this time for me to make any comment in that regard," Carey said.
Chief Assistant District Attorney Joseph Coolican said he is pleased with the sentence.
"I think the sentence reflects the severity of offense, and as I said at the sentencing, the special role police officers play in the community," Coolican said.
