This 2021 photo montage released by the US Marshals Service shows James Howard Jackson. The man who shot Lady Gaga’s dog walker and stole her two French bulldogs in 2021 has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder on Monday, December 5, 2022, and was convicted. 21 years in prison.
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This 2021 photo montage released by the US Marshals Service shows James Howard Jackson. The man who shot Lady Gaga’s dog walker and stole her two French bulldogs in 2021 has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder on Monday, December 5, 2022, and was convicted. 21 years in prison.
US Police Chief/AP
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Man fatally shot Lady Gaga’s dog walker while walking stole her french bulldog officials said last year pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 21 years in prison on Monday.
Authorities said the Lady Gaga connection was a coincidence. Motivation is the value of French bulldogOne breed of dog can run into the thousands of dollars, and detectives don’t believe the thieves know the dogs belong to musicians.
James Howard Jackson, one of three men and two accomplices involved in the violent robbery and its aftermath, has pleaded not guilty to one count of attempted murder, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. It was not immediately clear which attorney represented Howard on Monday.
Ryan Fischer, the pop star’s dog walker, was critically injured in the attack and presented in court on Monday to issue a statement about the impact he posted on Instagram.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been almost two years since I took Asia, Koji, and Gustav out for an evening walk when — for a moment — I suddenly found myself fighting with all my might to protect those ‘it wasn’t enough: I was beaten, strangled, shot and left to die on the sidewalk and gasping for life. Koji and Gustav were gone.”
Jackson and two others drove around Hollywood, the city of West Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley on February 24, 2021 “in search of French bulldogs,” prosecutors said previously. They find Fischer with three of the pop star’s pets.
Jackson shot Fischer during the famous Sunset Boulevard robbery in which two dogs were caught. A nearby doorbell camera captured the dog walker shouting “Oh my God! I’ve been shot!” and “Help me!” and “I’m bleeding from my chest!”
Fischer later called violence “near death” in social media posts. In his statement on Monday, he said he was still recovering physically and mentally from the shooting. Part of his lung had to be removed and he is still receiving physical therapy.
Fischer also directly mentioned Jackson in the statement and said he forgives him and others involved in the attack. “You’ve completely changed my life and I know I can’t fully move forward from the night you shot me until I said those words to you.”
Stolen dogs have been returned a few days later by Jennifer McBride, who was also charged.
The pop star offered a $500,000 reward – “without asking” – to be reunited with the dogs at the time.
Jackson also admitted to the charge of causing serious bodily injury and prior strike, the DA office said Monday. The prosecutor’s office did not immediately say what the previous strike was.
“The plea agreement holds Mr. Jackson accountable for committing a cold act of violence and bringing justice to our victim,” the office said in a statement. Howard has been charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit a robbery and assault with a semi-automatic firearm.
Jackson is wrong release from prison earlier this year due to a clerical error. He was regain almost five months later.
Another co-conspirator, Harold White, on Monday pleaded not guilty to a previously convicted gun possession charge. White, who was romantically involved with McBride at the time, will be sentenced next year. The McBride case is ongoing.
The pair are said to have tried to help White’s son, Jaylin White, avoid arrest following the shooting.
Jaylin White and Lafayette Whaley earlier this year pleaded not guilty to robbery.
Whaley drove the younger Jackson and White around last year when they were looking for good dogs. Jackson and White jumped out and attacked Fischer, prosecutors said previously. They beat and strangled the dog walker, Jackson pulled out a semi-automatic gun and shot, hitting Fischer once before the three fled.
Lady Gaga’s reps did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
