This week there were two court cases of interest on the docket for Bladen County Superior Court. The two defendants, Delane Jackson and MacKenzie Brisson had court scheduled this Monday, October 7th. The two are totally different cases, but many are asking what has happened with both cases.
Delane Jackson, a former Bladenboro Town Manager case was continued to Monday, February 17, 2020 according to Assistant District Attorney Quintin McGee.
“Hopefully everything will be taken care of with this case the week of February 17th,” Mr. McGee said.
Mr. Jackson is charged with one felony count of obtaining property by false pretenses. According to records while Mr. Jackson served as the Town Manager for Bladenboro, he also served as President of a company by the name of Cygnus.
The Town of Bladenboro paid Cygnus, almost $500,000 for operation of wells and spray irrigation over the course of Mr. Jackson’s tenure as Town Manager. Bladenboro Mayor Rufus Duckworth found documents listing Mr. Jackson’s aunt as the secretary and a former town clerk under Mr. Jackson, Lisa Kelly Porter, as an officer of Cygnus. In 2013, after Mayor Rufus’ findings, Mr. Jackson was asked to resign as town manager for Bladenboro.
In 2014, Mayor Duckworth reported his findings to the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), which lead to Mr. Jackson’s arrest.
Mr. Jackson maintains his innocence according to reports. The former mayor of Bladenboro and the Town Council knew of Mr. Jackson’s involvement with Cygnus and he had recused himself during the voting process about services Cygnus had proposed to offer the town, according to a public statement given by Mr. Jackson. He added, Cygnus was the lowest bidder and the town commissioners voted to approve the contract unanimously.
Since 2014, Mr. Jackson has held the position as Town Manager of River Bend, NC.
His case has been continued numerous times, according to court documents. Mr. Jackson is represented by Attorney Harold “Butch” Pope.
The other case of interest readers continue to ask about involves MacKenzie Brisson of Dublin. Mr. Brisson was involved in a 6-hour standoff with law enforcement. He is charged with three felony counts of assault with a firearm on a government official.
Mr. Brisson stood trial with Judge Michael A. Stone presiding over the case back in August of this year. The unique case has no historical example with similar happenings according to both the defense attorney and the district attorney. Mr. Brisson is alleged to have barricaded himself inside a home on Paul Brisson Road in Dublin while shooting at law enforcement officers. No one was injured and the standoff ended peacefully.
The defendant has a privately retained lawyer. During his trial trail Mr. Brisson was also represented by Mr. Pope and the case ended in a mistrial.
Mr. McGee confirmed Mr. Brisson retained a new lawyer after the mistrial. Due to the new attorney and the process it involves when a defendant hires a new attorney the case was continued to November 4, 2019. Mr. Brisson’s new attorney is Kevin Marcilliat from Wilmington, NC.
Related articles:
https://bladencounty.org/mistrial-for-mackenize-brisson-assault-with-a-firearm-on-a-government-official-case/
https://bladencounty.org/wect-report-former-bladenboro-manager-jackson-under-investigation/
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