MSU's Jackson Enters Plea in Calloway Court

Murray State basketball player Zaveral "Zay" Jackson has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree assault and first-degree wanton endangerment in Calloway County Circuit Court. The charges stem from a September 10 incident in Murray's Walmart parking lot, in which Jackson allegedly struck two people with his car following an argument.

Pretrial conference is scheduled for 1pm Monday, February 4, 2013, in Paducah with Circuit Judge Craig Clymer.

Jackson originally faced two counts of second-degree assault. A pre-trial diversion deal reached between Jackson's defense attorney and prosecutors reduced the charges to wanton endangerment. As part of the deal, Jackson would have spent only 30 days in jail to be served accommodating his class schedule.

Clymer rejected the original deal on Nov. 9 and removed the diversion as an option. Instead, he offered Jackson one-year in jail with eligibility for shock probation. Jackson rejected that deal. Clymer was put on the case after Marshall Circuit Judge Dennis Foust recused himself.

Jackson has been suspended from the MSU basketball team since the alleged incident became public.