Jackson Plea Deal in the Works

As a pre-trial date draws near, a plea deal is reportedly in the works for suspended Murray State University basketball player Zaveral “Zay” Jackson.
 
20-year-old Jackson faces charges of second-degree assault and first-degree wanton endangerment related to a Sept. 10 incident during which he allegedly struck two people with his car in the Murray Walmart parking lot.
 
Jackson has been suspended from the MSU basketball team since details of the incident became public.

Commonwealth Attorney Mark Blankenship told the Paducah Sun Wednesday that he and Jackson’s defense attorney, Gary Haverstock, worked out the details of a plea deal for special Circuit Judge Craig Clymer to consider.
 
The deal reportedly includes a felony conviction along with jail time. There is also no pre-trial diversion on the table that would expunge the conviction from Jackson’s record.

A diversion was originally offered, but Clymer refused it, stating it was too lenient for the crime.
 
After Judge Dennis Foust recused himself in October, Clymer was appointed to oversee the case as a special judge.
 
Jackson is scheduled to be back in court on Feb. 4.