A.V. man convicted of murdering 16-month-old girl

VICTORVILLE • An Apple Valley man charged with murdering his girlfriend’s 16-month-old daughter was convicted Wednesday morning at Victorville Superior Court.

After deliberating for half a day, the jury found David Anthony Jackson, 27, guilty of second-degree murder and assault on a child resulting in death. He’s expected to be sentenced to 25 years to life in prison Oct. 14.

“We got justice,” said Lakeisha Scott, the victim’s mother. “I believe that my daughter can rest in peace.”

The jurors informed the court they reached the verdict around 11:15 a.m. and Sheriff’s deputies began to enter the courtroom.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Rick Bachelor said they tightened up security because of the emotional tension between the victim’s and defendant’s families.

“We received a tip that, depending on the verdict, the victim’s family might react,” Bachelor said.

Earlier in the trial, the two sides got into a heated argument in the hallway in front of the jurors. Some had to be escorted out to the parking lot, Bachelor said. During her testimony, Scott broke down into tears and yelled at Jackson, “Why did you kill my baby, why?”

Jackson, dressed in a blue shirt and khaki pants, sat still quietly throughout the verdict except turning around toward the audience for a few seconds. Packed with 11 deputies, families and friends of both parties, attorneys and court staff, the sound of sobbing from the audience echoed in the courtroom.

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Tomoya Shimura may be reached at tshimura@VVDailyPress.com or (760) 955-5368.