VALDOSTA — The trial of a 21-year-old accused of murder began Tuesday.

Austin Stephens is charged with murdering Jalon Jackson back in 2016. Valdosta Police Department charged Stephens and two others with felony murder and aggravated assault after the victim was found dead in the 1100 block of North Toombs Street Oct. 19.

Stephens entered a plea of not guilty. If the jury finds him guilty, Stephens could receive two life sentences plus five years, according to Judge Brian McDaniels.

The trial began with Senior Assistant District Attorney Cathy Helms giving her opening statement for the prosecution. She described the events leading up to Jackson’s death and Stephens eventual arrest.

Helms said this is a story of jealousy. The victim had recently moved away from home and had been given money from his family, she said.

On Oct. 16, Jackson invited Stephens and some other people over to his place on Tombs Street in Valdosta. He answered the door and was at some point shot twice, once in the chin and a second time in his neck, Helms suggested. 

According to testimony from Dr. MaryAnne Gaffney-Kraft, with Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the wounds the victim received were not immediately life threatening. She estimated Jackson died around four hours after being shot.

Detective Timothy Quincy, with the Valdosta-Lowndes Regional Crime Lab, said there were signs the victim attempted to get out of the house after being shot but was locked inside by the killer.

Helms said the killer took Jackson’s keys and locked him inside the house while he bled to death. The killer also took Jackson’s necklaces and money, she said.

Anthony Jordan and KeyOlivia Richardson were also charged with murder in this case. They agreed to testify against Stephens. Jordan, who was with Stephens the day of the shooting, told police Stephens shot Jackson. 

Stephens told Jordan he killed Jackson because, “He was tired of seeing him flex his money,” according to the prosecution.

Jackson’s body was not discovered until three days after the shooting. During that time, Helms said Stephens went on a spending spree. She said he showed off a rental car, new tattoos and a hotel room on Facebook.

On Oct. 19, Jackson’s mother, Tiffany Henry, was worried about her son because she hadn’t heard from him. Living in Tifton, she got a ride from her boss to Jackson’s place on Toombs Street. When they arrived she reported the doors were locked and there was no response from inside.

They said they found Jackson’s body in the living room. Stephens was already in the Tift County Jail on unrelated charges and was extradited to Lowndes County.

While in jail, prosecutors said Stephens called his brother, James Stephens, and told him to get rid of something in his bag. The phone call was recorded and police interviewed Stephens’ brother who eventually led the police to Jackson’s necklaces that were covered in his blood.

The trial is expected to continue Wednesday. The Valdosta Daily Times will update the story as the trial goes forward.

Thomas Lynn is a government and education reporter for The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be reached at (229)244-3400 ext. 1256