Former Vols Safety Janzen Jackson Charged With Murder

Caption: New York Giants defensive back Dante Hughes (33), defensive back Janzen Jackson (48) and cornerback Jayron Hosley (36) during training camp. (Jul 28, 2012; Albany, NY)

According to the Los Angeles Register, former Tennessee safety Janzen Jackson has been charged with murder of his mother’s boyfriend, Frank Herrera.

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Jackson, who briefly signed as a free agent with the NFL’s New York Giants in 2012, has been jailed since September in the death of Herrera, his mother’s longtime boyfriend. Prosecutors say he strangled the 43-year-old Herrera on Sept. 11 and left his body to decompose in the back of a car for three days. Jackson entered a plea of not guilty Friday.

Jackson’s lawyers would not comment on the case.

During court testimony at a preliminary hearing in April, Jackson’s mother said her son appeared to be suffering from mental issues in the weeks leading up to Herrera’s death.

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Jackson was dismissed from Tennessee in 2011 and finished his college career at McNeese State. He was picked up by the Giants after the 2012 NFL Draft but was released four months later. Following his short stint in the NFL, Jackson played in the Canadian Football League for five games and was released Aug. 18th 2013.