KAUFMAN, TX — On February 13, 2025, a Kaufman County jury found Darren Coleman guilty of Murder. Coleman had previously attended Terrell High School in 2023, prior to his shooting and killing of Damaria Jackson, 17. On August 16, 2023, Coleman rode the school bus with a loaded firearm to Terrell High School, despite having been expelled and subsequently withdrawn from school just two days prior. Coleman intercepted Damaria Jackson, a Terrell High School Senior, while Jackson was walking to school. Coleman shot Jackson three times and then fled the scene, leaving the victim deceased on the sidewalk.
KAUFMAN, TX — On February 13, 2025, a Kaufman County jury found Darren Coleman guilty of Murder. Coleman had previously attended Terrell High School in 2023, prior to his shooting and killing of Damaria Jackson, 17. On August 16, 2023, Coleman rode the school bus with a loaded firearm to Terrell High School, despite having been expelled and subsequently withdrawn from school just two days prior. Coleman intercepted Damaria Jackson, a Terrell High School Senior, while Jackson was walking to school. Coleman shot Jackson three times and then fled the scene, leaving the victim deceased on the sidewalk.
Background from our 2023 Coverage of the Derrick Coleman Murder
Darren Coleman was 16 years old when he committed the offense. He was subsequently certified by a juvenile court to be tried as an adult. Coleman was tried before a jury in the 86th District Court of Kaufman County, the Honorable Judge Casey Blair presiding. The jury heard testimony from law enforcement officers, experts in DNA and ballistics, as well as Coleman’s own cousin to whom Coleman admitted murdering Jackson. At the conclusion of trial, the jury found Coleman guilty of Murder and assessed his punishment at 42 years confinement in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Institutional Division. During the punishment phase of trial, the jury heard from multiple members of Damaria Jackson’s family, who testified to the immeasurable devastation they have felt in the wake of this crime.
The case was led in prosecution by Assistant District Attorneys Taylor McConnell and Marc Moffit, Investigator Wayne Watson, and Paralegal Yolanda Murphy. The Kaufman County District Attorney’s Office would like to recognize the Terrell Police Department and Terrell I.S.D. Police Department for their efforts in bringing Coleman to justice.
District Attorney Erleigh Wiley said, “While nothing can undo the loss of an innocent life, hopefully this sentence will bring Damaria Jackson’s family a little closure. My heart is with them in their time of healing.”