Fatal Shooting in North Texas
Introduction to the Case
A 23-year-old North Texas man was sentenced to 60 years in prison Thursday in the fatal shooting of a woman in far northeast Dallas in December 2024. Jason Oakes pleaded guilty to murder in the death of 27-year-old Christine Kesterson and was sentenced by a Dallas County jury. He was also fined $10,000, the Dallas County district attorney’s office confirmed. Kesterson was shot and killed and another person was injured in December 2024.
The Incident
On Dec. 29, officers responded to a shooting call shortly after 3 a.m. in the 11800 block of Woodbridge Drive, near Forest Lane. On arriving, police found two people had been shot. Kesterson was taken to a hospital, where she died. The second person was treated for minor injuries.
Surveillance video, interviews and tips to police led investigators to Oakes, according to an arrest warrant-affidavit. Oakes was arrested and booked into jail in January on a murder charge, one count of aggravated assault and one count of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
Investigation and Arrest
After the shooting, a man injured in the shooting told police that Oakes called him after the shooting. When the man informed Oakes that Kesterson had died, Oakes began crying and said he “just wanted to knock out a couple windows and scare them all,” according to the affidavit.
The investigation into the shooting was thorough, with police gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. The arrest of Oakes was a significant step in bringing justice to the victim and her family.
Victim Impact Statement
“No parent should ever get a text message saying, ‘Your daughter has been murdered,’” said Michelyne Wright, Kesterson’s mother, in a victim impact statement obtained by The Dallas Morning News.
In the statement, Wright said her daughter would send her a message on every holiday. Now those days are filled with silence. She also said her depression worsened, and she started having panic attacks, which was not something she had faced before.
“The pain never stops,” Wright said. “My life is now divided into before and after. Every day since, I live with an emptiness in my chest that will never be filled again.”
Apology from the Defendant
After the sentencing, Oakes’ attorney passed along a handwritten apology from Oakes to Wright, which she shared with The News. In the note, Oakes said he did not mean to hurt anyone and felt “awful.”
“I know I can’t fix this but I’m sorry,” he said in the note. The apology was a gesture of remorse from the defendant, but it does not bring back the life that was lost.
Conclusion
The fatal shooting in North Texas was a tragic event that resulted in the loss of a young life. The sentencing of Jason Oakes to 60 years in prison brings some justice to the victim and her family, but it does not erase the pain and suffering that they have endured. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking help and support in times of need, and the devastating consequences of violent actions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the sentence given to Jason Oakes?
A: Jason Oakes was sentenced to 60 years in prison and fined $10,000.
Q: Who was the victim of the fatal shooting?
A: The victim was 27-year-old Christine Kesterson.
Q: What was the date of the shooting?
A: The shooting occurred on December 29, 2024.
Q: How did the police investigate the shooting?
A: The police investigated the shooting by gathering surveillance video, conducting interviews, and following up on tips from the public.
Q: What was the response of the victim’s mother to the sentencing?
A: The victim’s mother, Michelyne Wright, expressed her pain and suffering in a victim impact statement, saying that her life would never be the same without her daughter.
