TEXARKANA, Texas -- The mother of an 18-year-old slain by gunfire in 2019 said she hopes a defendant who was sentenced to 20 years Monday will make the most of the rest of his life.
Christopher Oneal Cross, 22, pleaded guilty to murder at a hearing Monday before 202nd District Judge John Tidwell. Cross was sentenced to 20 years as part of a plea bargain.
Antonio Grigsby Jr. was 15 when Cross drove him to an apartment complex at 39 Riverbend on Dec. 22, 2019, in Texarkana, Texas. Grigsby planned to rob 18-year-old Amilleon "A.J." Jackson and had set up a meeting with him under the guise of buying some marijuana.
Grigsby shot Jackson five times in the back as he fled. Jackson's mother held him in her arms as he died in the parking lot.
Grigsby, now 18, pleaded guilty to murder in March 2021 and was sentenced to life in prison. He will be eligible for parole after serving 30 years.
Jackson's mother, Heather Humes, said she hopes Cross will see his plea agreement as an opportunity to be a positive force in the world upon his release from a Texas prison.
"I just hope that when he does get out he makes the most of his second chance," Humes said. "He gets a second chance at life and A.J. doesn't."
Jackson was Humes' only child.
"I don't want A.J.'s death to be in vain," Humes said. "I hope Cross realizes how wrong it was and he makes something of himself. I hope he does something his mother can be proud of."
Bowie County District Attorney Jerry Rochelle offered his condolences to Jackson's mother and family and said he hopes the consequences being suffered now by Cross and Grigsby for a "senseless" crime are noticed by other young people.
"It is my hope that if any good were to come out of this, it would be to get the attention of young people in our community and have them realize they are not only responsible for their actions, but legally responsible for the actions of others if they were acting together," Rochelle said. "What started out as a lesser crime escalated quickly into the most serious offense possible. The victim lost his life and two others have forfeited their freedom. This affects our entire community."
Cross is represented by Texarkana lawyer Shorty Barrett.
Christopher Oneal Cross, Antonio Grigsby Jr.