Andre Jackson, a decorated Marine Corp. Veteran, was tried and wrongfully convicted in Harris County on May 3, 2022 by a jury. Andre was charged with the murder of 11 year old Josue Flores near James & Fulton St in Houston Tx about 6 years ago. He was the second suspect arrested & released due to lack of evidence back in 2016. He was picked back up for the crime in 2019 after no new evidence was discovered and is now serving a life sentence.

Witnesses from the scene each gave descriptions, and non of the given descriptions were a match to Andre Jackson. One of the witness descriptions matched an unknown person seen on camera. A witness described a black male with shaggy hair, black shirt, and cargo pants. A video was shown by the defense of an unknown person matching this exact description who was never investigated nor were the employees at the Salvation Army, where Andre was living, questioned about the unknown male nor Andre's appearance or demeanor upon his return. These are the same witness descriptions that led to the arrest of another man, who HPD claimed to arrest because of that and his wallet was found nearby where he’d earlier had a fight & been tased by police. Luckily, he was released after his alibi was discovered. How could these same witness descriptions lead to the arrest of this guy end up leading to the arrest of Andre Jackson, who didn't match any of given descriptio? A witness also picked the initial suspect from a photo line up and stated that he "felt pressure because he wanted someone to get caught" and that this incident was "100% my fault". After 6 years the pressure was still on witnesses and law enforcement to get a conviction and sadly Andre was the scapegoat.

The only testimony that was the same from all witnesses was the fact that the person who murdered Josue Flores held him close and seemed to be punching Josue from afar when in reality he was being stabbed. Yet Andre Jackson was seen on multiple surveillance without any blood on his clothes or person. 

In addition to the poor witness accounts, the police work done by HPD, Homicide and the detectives surrounding this case was sub par. According to the jury, the presence of Josue's DNA was the deciding factor in the guilty verdict. HPD Homicide lead Detective in this case arrived to the Salvation Army where Andre was living at the time and testified that he recognized the green jacket as the one that appeared in surveillance based on the lettering on Hood of the jacket. Based on the photo submitted with the search warrant the lettering was not visible...How did the Detective identify the lettering before the search warrant came back signed? He handled the jacket for inspection once he arrived, anticipating the signing of the search warrant. Andre's defense pointed out that this isn't the same testimony he previously gave, when Detective admitted on the stand to "misspeaking in his previous testimony". In a trial as serious as murder, did a 20+ year seasoned Detective misspeak? Was he misspeaking now or then?

The DNA evidence that swayed the jury towards the guilty verdict was said by forensics specialist to be transferred by friction, and possibly by a third party. The DNA showed to he 85%-Andre Jacksons, 10%-Josue Flores & 5%- unknown party. The shoes, shoe laces, and jacket worn by Andre Jackson on the day of the murder were all collected and not a drop of blood was uncovered on either of them. It was later sent to two other labs, one where evidence had been mishandled so badly that it could not be tested due to mold from improper storage. Again no blood found on Andre Jacksons things. At this time DNA was discovered from Josue, Andre and a 3rd party, not blood.

This is just a brief summary of the inconsistencies that should have freed Andre Jackson. No one should have to stand trial and fight for their life & freedom, with such inconsistent & minimal evidence, let alone be convicted of murder that can not be proved without a shadow of doubt. The evidence presented by prosecution leaves holes, doubt and raises more questions than it offers resolution.  I do not know Andre Jackson personally but this trial stuck out to me so I chose to attend and do my part as a citizen of the state of Texas and Harris Co. I ask anyone who reads this with a broken heart to look over the details of this case, send an email, or make a phone call to DA Kim Ogg to assist with overturning this wrongful conviction and send HPD back to find the actual murder of Josue Flores so that both the families of Andre Jackson and Josue Flores get justice.

Some thing you can do to help:

- Email District Harris Co. District Attorney Kim Ogg at da@dao.hctx.net and reference the updates posted to this Petition.

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