APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – More than four-and-a-half years after she allegedly killed her husband, a woman is scheduled to stand trial on November 7.
Mastella Jackson is charged with first-degree intentional homicide for the February 21, 2012 murder of Derrick Whitlow at the Grand Chute motel where he was staying.
This case has taken years to reach this point due to decisions and appeals regarding statements Jackson made and the evidence recovered as a result.
Outagamie County Judge Mark McGinnis suppressed physical evidence in the case because Grand Chute police found the knife and bloody clothing after interrogating Jackson for over 6 hours without informing Jackson of her Miranda rights.
The circuit court also suppressed incriminating statements Jackson made during the interrogation.
An appeals court reversed as to the physical evidence, concluding officers searching the house would inevitably have discovered it during their search. The Supreme Court affirmed that decision earlier this month.
At a hearing Friday, another motions hearing was scheduled for September 22, with a final pre-trial conference October 24.
The November 7 trial is scheduled to last four days, according to online court records.
