Sonia Jackson sat in a Marion County courtroom Wednesday for what she thought would be one of the last hearings concerning the vicious murder of her 15-year-old son Seath.
But Tuesday, she got the news that one of the suspects, Amber Wright, will get a new trial in December.
Seath Jackson's murder made national headlines. He was lured to a home, beaten, shot and set on fire. His remains were then placed in paint buckets and tossed into a lime pit.
The state recently reopened James Havens' case for Wednesday’s competency hearing. He’s accused of accessory to murder after the fact for allegedly helping dispose of Jackson’s burned body.
In the ruling the Appellate Court said Wright spent six hours at the sheriff’s office and had given many incriminating statements before she was finally read her Miranda rights.
Jurors saw video of her confession at her first trial. That won’t be allowed to be played at the new one.
Jackson’s mom said she spent two years in counseling learning to deal with the brutal murder of her son. She said as a parent she understands why Wright’s family is fighting to get her out of jail. Jackson lost her son, but she said Wright’s mother has more or less lost two children. Amber Wright’s brother Kyle Hooper is also serving a life sentence. It could eventually be reduced because of a recent Supreme Court ruling involving minors.
A judge ordered James Havens to undergo a new psychological evaluation to see if he can stand trial in the next 30 days. Meanwhile, Amber Wright’s new trial is scheduled for December 1.