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Victim says punishment too light for Racer

Victim says punishment too light for Racer

MURRAY (AP) — A Kentucky man run over by a Murray State basketball player in a Wal-Mart parking lot says he’s angry that his attacker is being allowed to return to the team after pleading guilty.
Jason Clement of Murray told WPSD-TV in Paducah (http://bit.ly/SabGN6) a 30-day jail sentence for Racers guard Zaveral “Zay” Jackson in too lenient.
Jackson, a 20-year-old from Hammond, La., pleaded guilty earlier this month to wanton endangerment. Jackson admitted to running down Clement and his wife Sept. 9.
The surveillance video of the incident shows Jason Clement clinging to the windshield of a white Monte Carlo.
Clement recalled thinking, “How am I going to get off this car? Am I going to see my kids again?”
Clement said the altercation began after he and his wife, Alia, noticed Jackson slam a shopping cart into a parked truck. Clement said his wife made a comment about how their kids would not even do such a thing and Jackson snapped.
Jackson them returned and drove his car into the pair.
Clement said he fell on his right arm when Jackson slammed on the brakes and he was thrown from the car.
He said the fall left him with little mobility in that arm but has not been able to afford medical attention.
Calloway County Commonwealth’s Attorney Mark Blankenship said Jackson appears remorseful and that Judge Dennis Foust is reviewing the plea deal.
“Based on what I’m hearing he’s very remorseful. He regrets what this has done to his team, the university, the victims,” Blankenship said.
Clement says he doesn’t want to hear an apology from Jackson.
“Saying you’re sorry? That’s just words,” Clement said.
The Racers host Freed-Hardeman on Nov. 5.
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Information from: WPSD-TV, http://www.wpsdlocal6.com

Published in The Messenger 10.23.12