TYLER, Texas (TXAN 24) — The legal battle surrounding the tragic January 6 murder of Cheyenne Russell continues as the State of Texas has filed a paternity case against her ex-boyfriend, Jorian Raklyn Nashun Jackson, who is currently incarcerated for the crime.
Jackson, 29, is facing charges for the murder of Russell, 26, of Nacogdoches, who was fatally shot in her home in a tragic incident witnessed by one of her children. The suspect, who has been held in Smith County Jail on a $1 million bond, is now the subject of a paternity petition filed by the state to legally establish his parentage of the younger child born to Russell and Jackson.
The State of Texas filed the petition on February 4, 2025, in County Court at Law 2, citing the need to establish child support obligations and to secure the child’s welfare following Russell’s untimely death. However, as of the filing, Jackson has yet to be served with the citation due to his incarceration. The unserved citations complicate the case, with the court expected to pursue alternative methods of notification to ensure Jackson is aware of the legal proceedings.
While the paternity case proceeds, questions remain about the future of the child. With Jackson behind bars and his role as the father potentially confirmed, legal experts suggest that child support payments may be ordered once paternity is established. However, with Jackson’s inability to earn income while in jail, any financial obligations will likely be delayed or accrue as unpaid debt.
The custodial situation for the child remains unclear at this point, but given the tragic circumstances surrounding Russell’s death, it’s expected that family members or guardians may step in to care for the child.
In the wake of Russell’s murder, legal proceedings surrounding the child’s future are moving forward, and the state will likely continue to push for the establishment of paternity, custody arrangements, and child support enforcement.
The next key date in the case is March 5, 2025, when a docket review will occur, providing the latest updates on the paternity case and its impact on the child.
As this case progresses, the community continues to feel the ripple effects of the tragic loss, with ongoing questions about the future of Russell’s child and the legal actions that will follow.
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