MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Noura Jackson is making headlines again. This time she is fighting for the rights to her murdered mother’s $1.5 million estate in estate in East Memphis.
In 2009, Jackson was convicted of stabbing her mother at least 50 times and leaving her to die.
It was a gruesome case that took place back in 2005 when Jackson was a teen.
However that conviction was overturned.
Jackson was re-tried last year and took an Alford Plea on voluntary manslaughter charges.
She maintained her innocence while acknowledging the evidence against her.
She was released from prison last month, but her aunts and uncles have blocked her access to her mother’s assets.
“The possessions, real estate and life insurance policies of Jennifer Jackson,” explained Attorney Michael Working.
That’s what Jackson’s attorneys said she’s entitled to.
“She’s settling in to a new life. Has a job, is working five days a week. Living a fairly normal and secluded life right now,” said Working.
Jackson’s attorneys said the legal fight over the estate has been going on for awhile but Jackson has not filed or claimed anything except her innocence.
“By law Noura is the only surviving child of her mother. She’s entitled to her inheritance. By law she hasn’t filed anything in the court to say give me this money,” said Co-attorney Thomas Greer.
However, the brothers and sisters of murdered Jennifer Jackson, Nouras mother, are citing the Tennessee Slayer Statute that basically says anyone who kills someone they would receive property from forfeits their right to it.
Noura Jackson’s attorney’s disagreed and said she entered an Alford Plea.
“An Alford Plea is a statement that says ‘I am not guilty but for other reasons it’s in my best interest to do this,'” said Working.
Looking forward, the attorneys said once again Jackson could be sitting in front of a judge for a civil retrial.
They said this case isn’t about money, it’s about clearing her reputation.
“We’re here to make sure she is treated fairly,” said Greer.
The civil trial could be in the summer of 2017.
Attorneys representing Jackson’s aunts and uncles did not return calls and emails.
