STOCKTON – The trial of a man accused of the August beating of his estranged wife, Peyton Elementary School Principal Sherry Jackson, probably will begin in late February, with the start date likely to be set at a Jan. 17 hearing at San Joaquin County Superior Court.
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During a brief court appearance Wednesday, 40-year-old Yonnie Jackson reiterated plans to represent himself and also told Judge William Johnson that, despite “discussions” referred to by the judge, he has no plans to change his plea from not guilty to not guilty by reason of insanity.
Jackson is receiving help from an advisory attorney, John Soldati, and also has enlisted a private investigator, Craig Williams. Soldati said he is providing “technical” assistance.
“Any questions he has about the law, I answer,” Soldati said. “But he’s the attorney.”
Jackson fired his private attorney one month ago, saying he wants to get his trial started as soon as possible. He continues to be held on $1 million bail at the San Joaquin County jail, and by early March will have been there for more than six months.
“Your honor,” Jackson said Wednesday, “I could start tomorrow.”
During his 15-minute appearance, Jackson held papers in front of his face in an effort to obstruct the view of a photographer from The Record. Handcuffed and wearing orange jail garb, Jackson sought to have the photographer removed from the courtroom, but the judge refused to do so.
Jackson is charged with premeditated attempted murder and faces a possible life sentence if convicted.
He is accused of the Aug. 15 beating of Sherry Jackson in the parking lot of the Walmart on Hammer Lane in Stockton. Sherry Jackson returned to work three weeks after being beaten.
