Family evicted prior to Pueblo homicide, raising questions about role of authorities

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- Greythonia Jackson, 22, was found dead in a Bessemer neighborhood alley on Monday, Feb. 17. Investigators believe she was beaten to death by her husband, 22-year old Rashad Jackson, in an abandoned home with their two young children.

But could this have been avoided? The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office is giving their side of the story -- after facing criticism that they could have stepped in before it ended tragically.

One week before her death, the couple was evicted from their prior residence, prompting them to move into an abandoned house with their two children. The house on Pine Street is close to the alley where Greythonia's body was discovered, and it's where investigators believe Jackson beat her to death.

Meg Wilcox was the property manager of the Jackson's prior home on Spruce Street. Wilcox says that she, as well as the home's landlord, made several reports to Child Protective Services before the eviction, but nothing came of it.

She said that Rashad and Greythonia hadn’t payed rent since August, ultimately prompting a Pueblo judge to order their eviction on Jan. 29.

The eviction occurred Feb. 10 under the supervision of the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office. Wilcox says the conditions inside the home were unbelievable.

“The police didn’t want to be in there," said Wilcox. "They said it was the worst or one of the worst they’ve ever seen.”

Wilcox says animal feces littered the floor and garbage was everywhere. The family of four were living in one small area in the back of the residence.

Wilcox says she asked the deputies overseeing the eviction if they could help the children, or call protective services.

“We were told by the deputies they just do the eviction and nothing more," said Wilcox. "And that even if they did call child protective services, the people would be gone before they got there.”

Sheriff Kirk Taylor says the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office only has one crew working evictions. They conduct about 300 evictions a year, and around eight or nine a week.

Taylor says the crew was executing a court order, and were requested by the landlord to oversee the eviction. The Sheriff says the crew followed the standardized eviction process and operated within the scope of the law.

The Sheriff says the unit of deputies had no right to detain the Jacksons.

Wilcox believes the unit could've done more.

“I think a simple phone call might’ve saved that lady's life," said Wilcox. "If child protective services had taken those children she may have found another means to go somewhere else and could still be here today. It’s a tragedy.”

Wilcox says she contacted Child Protective Services multiple times leading up to the eviction. The Pueblo County Department of Human Services, who oversee Child Protective Services within the county, declined to comment on potential investigations.

The Pueblo Police Department says the two young children are safe and cared for while their father is behind bars. Rashad Jackson faces a charge of second degree murder in the death of his wife.