Murder, Arson Suspect Waives Right to Jury Trial

By Jeff Reinitz, The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier

Glenn Jackson, left, makes his initial appearance on first-degree murder charges with his attorney public defender Aaron Hawbaker at the Black Hawk County Jail on March 8, 2011, in Waterloo, Iowa. (MATTHEW PUTNEY / Courier Photo Editor)

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By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Feb 8, 2012 at 4:11 PM CDT

Story Updated: Feb 8, 2012 at 4:11 PM CDT

WATERLOO, Iowa - A Waterloo man accused of killing his roommate and setting fire to her home has waived his right to a jury trial.

Glen Dean Jackson, 51, had been scheduled to go to trial Tuesday on arson and murder charges in the 2011 death of Sandra Jo Nash, 57.

But during a Tuesday morning hearing Jackson indicated he would rather proceed with a bench trial, allowing a judge to determine his fate, according to court officials.

The case will be presented to a judge for a non-jury trial on Feb. 21.

Jackson is charged with killing Nash with a hammer and then setting fire to her home at 2861 Logan Ave. Firefighters found Nash's body while extinguishing the flames in the early morning hours of Jan. 31, 2011.

Jackson, who was injured in the blaze, was arrested for first-degree arson in February 2011. A charge of first-degree murder was added in March when a medical examiner determined Nash died of blunt trauma to the head before the fire.

The case was put on hold in April when the defense raised concerns about Jackson's competency. Last month, a judge determined he was able stand trial.

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