Alleged Montco Killer's Trial Begins On Anniversary Of Slaying: Report

The man who is accused of killing a Pottstown woman will stand trial on the first anniversary of the slaying, according to a report.

Derrick Michael Jackson, 21, of West Pottsgrove, allegedly shot Lori Marie “Angel” Sheridan, 47, with a shotgun inside her apartment over a drug debt, the report states.

Eight women and four men will sit on the jury, according to the Pottstown Mercury.

Evidence reportedly indicates that although Jackson was with other individuals at the time of the slaying, he was the lone triggerman.

Andre Jackson and Jourdan Harper were also arrested on December 1, 2014, for robberies in Pottstown and West Pottsgrove, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.

Sheridan was killed by a close range shotgun blast to abdomen while she was lying in her bed in her apartment.

Shortly after the victim was found on Monday, December 1, 2014, members of the Pottstown Police Department and the Montgomery County Detective Bureau commenced an investigation into the murder of Lori Marie Sheridan. Through extensive witness interviews and multi-agency cooperation, detectives were able to identify Derrick M. Jackson as the person responsible for Lori Sheridan’s murder.

During the investigation detectives found and seized a black pistol grip style pump shotgun that was used in the murder as well as shotgun shells that contained “birdshot” from the rear yard of Derrick Jackson. The autopsy conducted by the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office determined that Lori Marie Sheridan was killed with “birdshot.” Additionally, Derrick Jackson was linked to this weapon as far back as a month before the killing when he texted a picture that police recovered of the same shotgun.

The investigation also revealed that Jackson, along with his cousins Andre Jackson and Jourdan Harper, committed armed robberies both before and after the murder. These two defendants were with Jackson when he killed Sheridan. The timeline of events on December 1st revealed: an armed Robbery on 262 King Street in Pottstown Borough; the Murder of Lori Sheridan at 503 King Street, Apartment #1 in Pottstown Borough; and then the Armed Robbery at Berks Street and East Howard Street in West Pottstgrove Township.

Montgomery County DA Ferman said, “the arrests in these violent cases have come from the collaborative investigative efforts of Pottstown Police, Montgomery County Adult Probation Office, West Pottsgrove Police and our detectives. We will continue to focus our resources on violent criminals, who undermine the safety and security of our communities.” Pottstown Police Chief Drumheller added that “the detective division has been a beehive of police activity. Superior teamwork has led to these arrests.”