NJ Commutes Sentence Of South River Woman Featured In Kim Kardashian Docu

SOUTH RIVER, NJ - Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday commuted the sentence of South River resident Dawn Jackson who was arrested in 1999 and convicted of murder.

Jackson was sentenced to 30 years without parole eligibility for fatally stabbing her step-grandfather Robert McBride, at his South River home.

Jackson was featured in the documentary “The Justice Project” by Kim Kardashian.

The media personality has been a strong advocate for releasing Jackson, incarcerated at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women.

Jackson said she suffered years of sexual abuse at the hands of male relatives.

McBride was the former partner of Jackson’s grandmother, Sarah Jackson. According to a report by the Associated Press, McBride and Sarah were the parents of former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Kenny Jackson.

“Today has given me the ability to understand what perseverance looks like, what it means to be resilient through difficult times, and to keep striving no matter what life may throw at you,” said Loreale Wilson, Jackson’s daughter.

“Dawn Jackson is resilient, dedicated, and fearless. She never gave up the good fight and that’s why I stand here today on her behalf. What this means for me, I can’t begin to put into words, but that I am completely speechless, overwhelmed with joy, and can’t wait to experience all that God has for us. Thank everyone who truly made this possible, including Governor Murphy, but most importantly to my mother for never giving up.”

Kardashian learned of the case in 2019 when Jackson wrote to her detailing the abuse she suffered.

Jackson explained that she was told to plead guilty, but her long history of being sexually abused was never allowed in the courtroom.

On Monday, Murphy commuted Jackson’s sentence. She will be released from prison and begin a period of parole supervision until March 23, 2029.

Jackson is the mother of 11 children, and grandmother to 20.

“Thank you, Governor Murphy, for your compassion and moral courage," Kardashian said in a statement. "By granting these clemencies today, you’ve shown that we can choose redemption over condemnation. Dawn’s second chance and impending freedom shows us what’s possible when we focus on supporting survivors, prioritizing safety, and committing to real justice. There are countless others who deserve the same chance, and I’m grateful for your pledge to expedite and expand clemencies so more lives can be reclaimed.”

The governor granted clemency to 36 people. Recipients include U.S. military veterans, religious leaders, and small business owners.

This week’s wave of clemency in New Jersey comes after President Joe Biden announced that he was commuting the sentences of 1,500 Americans earlier this month. Biden also pardoned more than three dozen other people on the federal level, including his son, Hunter Biden.

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