Homer Lee Jackson

Serial Killer

Homer Lee Jackson III: The Portland Serial Killer

Overview

Homer Lee Jackson III was an American serial killer responsible for the deaths of four women and girls in Portland, Oregon, between 1983 and 1993. The cases remained unresolved for decades before advances in forensic testing connected Jackson to evidence recovered from the crime scenes. Jackson was arrested in October 2015 and initially charged with aggravated murder. After years of disputed forensic evidence, suppressed interrogation statements and pretrial appeals, he accepted a plea agreement in January 2022. He pleaded guilty to four counts of criminally negligent homicide in the deaths of Tonja Harry, Angela Anderson, Latanga Watts and Lawauna Triplet. Jackson received a sentence of six years and three months. Because he had already spent more than six years in custody while awaiting trial, he was released with credit for time served. The outcome was strongly criticized by relatives of the victims, who believed the punishment did not reflect the seriousness of the crimes.

Early Life and Criminal History

Homer Lee Jackson III was born on December 18, 1959, in Berkeley, California. His family later moved to Portland, Oregon, where he spent most of his life. Publicly available information about his childhood is limited, although court proceedings later documented serious intellectual, psychological and medical problems. Jackson reportedly experienced learning difficulties and left school before graduating. As a young adult, he accumulated a criminal record that included arrests and convictions for burglary. He also spent time in areas of Portland associated with street-level drug activity and commercial sex work. During the period in which the killings occurred, Jackson reportedly abused alcohol and crack cocaine. He later claimed that his drug use and memory problems left him unable to remember large portions of his life. Those assertions became important during his prosecution because investigators attempted to obtain admissions from him despite knowing that he had significant cognitive and psychiatric limitations. Jackson was eventually diagnosed with schizophrenia and experienced serious physical illnesses. His mental condition, suggestibility and impaired memory became central issues in the legal battle over whether statements he made during police questioning could be used against him. ...

Confirmed Victims: (4)

Tonja Harry Age: (19), Date of Death: July 9, 1983

Suspected Victims:

Essie Jackson Age: (23), Date of Death: March 23, 1983

Convicted killer of 4 found dead in his home - WAFB