Jury convicts man of killing former Cleveland mayor’s grandson

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Late Monday morning, a jury found Robert Shepard guilty of killing Frank Q Jackson, the grandson of the former Cleveland Mayor.

Unlike other cases we’ve covered, Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Judge Deena Calabrese didn’t read the verdict charge by charge.

With tensions so high between people in the audience, Judge Calabrese announced the decision quickly and all at once. She had several extra deputies in the room to manage the audience.

Robert Shepard’s family immediately began crying, shouting and refusing to leave after he was convicted of aggravated murder, murder and felonious assault.

Prosecutors built their case against Shepard based on phone records and a pointing motion they say Shepard made toward where he left Frank Q Jackson’s dirt bike last September.

Attorneys say Shepard,30, worked with a group to lure Frank Q to the spot where he would be shot and killed.

The defense pointed out over and over again that there were no text messages, no phone recordings no evidence that showed Shepard knew Frank Q would be killed in the area.

Shepard’s trial began on Oct. 25 and the jury started deliberating late on Friday, Oct. 28.

Frank Q. Jackson, 24, was killed on Sept. 19, 2021 near Sidaway Avenue and East 70th Street in Cleveland.

Cleveland police arrested Shepard on Oct. 27, 2021.

Police have not identified the shooter or made any other arrests in the case.

Jackson was pronounced dead at the scene and the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner said he suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his head, back, and arms.

The court did not schedule a sentencing date at this time.