Houston County District Attorney Consents to Rare Sentence Modification for Man Serving Life Without Parole

DA Eric Edwards consents to the release of Jessie James Askew Jr. after 28 years of a life sentence for a non-injurious 1997 armed robbery in Georgia.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 17, 2026, 8:02 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Telegraph (Macon)

A Historic Shift in Houston County Prosecution

The Houston County District Attorney’s Office has taken the extraordinary step of seeking to modify a life sentence originally secured by a previous administration. District Attorney Eric Edwards announced his consent for the release of 52 year old Jessie James Askew Jr., marking the first time his office has intervened to shorten a sentence prosecuted by a predecessor. Edwards characterized the move as extremely rare, noting that his decision was heavily influenced by the specific circumstances of the case and the vocal contrition of the man who originally sent Askew to prison. The fate of the modification now rests with Superior Court Judge G.E. “Bo” Adams, who must sign the order to finalize Askew’s freedom.

The 1997 Armed Robbery and Mandatory Minimums

The case stems from a 1997 armed robbery at Morrison’s Fresh Cooking in Warner Robins. While Askew was found guilty of the crime, court records emphasize that no physical injuries occurred during the incident. However, because Askew had three prior nonviolent felony convictions, Georgia’s recidivist statutes allowed for the maximum possible penalty. Kelly Burke, the District Attorney at the time, recommended a sentence of life without the possibility of parole. Interestingly, Askew’s co defendant, who pleaded guilty to the same robbery, received only a 10 year sentence and has long since been released, highlighting a significant disparity in the judicial outcomes for the two men.

Original Prosecutor Expresses Regret Over "Unfair" Sentence

Former District Attorney Kelly Burke has become one of the strongest advocates for Askew’s release, admitting that he overreacted during the initial prosecution. Burke stated that he effectively punished Askew for exercising his right to a jury trial rather than accepting a plea deal. Since resigning in 2010, Burke has campaigned for sentence reductions for individuals like Askew, even helping to propose state legislation known as the Georgia Second Look Act. Burke’s testimony as a witness and his direct appeal to the current District Attorney were cited as pivotal factors in the office's decision to reconsider the decades old life sentence.