Lescallett found guilty (again) of murdering Willows woman

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

Last month, more than 40 years after his original conviction, Darrell Lescallett was again found guilty of the brutal murder of Edith Jackson of Willows.

In the early morning hours of Saturday, Sept. 22, 1979, Darrell Lescallett, now 69 years old (25 at the time of the murder); his brother, Gary Lescallett; and companion Frank Kamlan encountered Edith Jackson, a 79-year-old retired teacher from Willows, at the Denny’s restaurant, formerly located on the west side of Humboldt Avenue, south of Wood Street, in Willows. Prior to meeting Jackson, the three men had committed several burglaries in the region.

The three men asked Jackson for a ride, which she apparently agreed to give them; however, when they were inside her car, they pulled her into the back seat and forced her to the floor. Just south of Willows, they locked Jackson in the trunk and drove to Oakland. When the men stopped for gas, they paid for it with money stolen from Jackson.

While enroute, the trio discussed killing Jackson (thereby establishing that the murder was premeditated). Once in Oakland, the three used heroin and cocaine. Darrell and Gary Lescallett then went to kill Jackson. She was stabbed eight times. The nearly 80-year-old woman was also sexually assaulted by Darrell Lescallett.

The precise motive for the crime was unprovoked and unknown.

Darrell Lescallett was originally convicted more than 40 years ago. In mid-June of this year, his sixth parole hearing was held. Parole was denied. His next parole hearing is scheduled for about a year from now.

Under California law (SB1437), Lescallett was granted a new trial to determine beyond a reasonable doubt if he was guilty of the murder. The hearing was held in Alameda County on May 30, 2024. The court issued its ruling on June 24. It found that the People proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Lescallett was the “actual killer.” The court also decided the People had proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Lescallett was a “major participant who acted with reckless indifference” to human life.

Lescallett is scheduled for sentencing on October 17, 2024.