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Elderly Assault Victim Tells Her Story
A disabled Jackson widow is coming forward with her story of being attacked in her home three weeks ago. Martha Denson is the city's fourth elderly assault in the past few weeks. The South Jackson resident says the elderly are being targeted by juveniles, and she wants legislators to change the laws that protect young criminals.
Martha Denson's blood still remains on the front door of her Cooper Road home. She says two young black men, one a juvenile, kicked in her door in during the early morning hours on May 21st. Denson said, "We were fighting over the door. He was pushing in, and I was pushing out."
She and her nine year old granddaughte
r were inside. Her dog chased them out, but they forced their way back inside. Denson, who has lived in her home 18 years, has had surgery to replace both hips and knees.She says her attackers struck her repeatedly with a flashlight and a stick. The disabled 61 year old said, "It's not just for me. I want these hoodlums, I want them caught. I want them locked up, but on account of that they're minors."
They stole her purse, car keys, walker, crutches and her 1998 Crown Victoria, which Jackson police have recovered. The thieves cut her phone lines before breaking in, and she believes she saw them walking the neighborhood prior to the attack.
Jackson officers have arrested one juvenile in the case.
The District Attorney's Office has not received the case, but because they did not use a weapon, adult charges would be up to the youth court judge.
Hinds County Chief Asst. Attorney Robert Taylor said, "They can be certified up by youth court to the circuit court for us to deal wi
th them. The district attorney has told me she intends to seek their certification (as an adult)."
Jackson Ward 3 Councilman Kenny Stokes wants more done to protect elderly residents. Stokes said, "We are blessed to have a number of elderly people, 70 plus years in these inner city neighborhoods. God blessed them with life, and we can't let you thugs take that life away from them."
Denson wants laws strenthened to protect older citizens, especially those living alone. She said, "I'd like to have a sit-in. If they don't make me a law to cover these old people, I want to have a bunch of people go up there like they used to have in the 50's and 60's and demonstrate."
The Jackson grandmother has contacted her state representative and gone one step further. She says she now has a firearm and will use it if necessary.
Councilman Stokes will hold a community meeting Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church located at 3829 Comfort Street in Jackson's Georgetown
neighborhood.