20-year-old acquitted in death of woman whose body was found in a house fire in the Plattsmouth area in 2022

PLATTSMOUTH, Nebraska (WOWT) – The man responsible for the death of a 55-year-old Cass County woman whose body was found in a house fire in 2022 has been acquitted “by reason of insanity.”

Jabari Parsons was 18 years old when he was charged with the premeditated murder of Mary D. Blackwell, as well as first-degree arson and use of a weapon to commit a serious crime on August 25, 2022.

According to court documents filed Thursday, Parsons suffers from schizophrenia and announced his intention to plead “insanity” on May 12, 2023. A trial before a single judge took place last June.

During a trial in June, it was argued that Parsons' symptoms may have been caused by “drug use.” But Cass County Judge Michael A. Smith noted in his stipulation Thursday that Parsons' symptoms continued even after he stopped using marijuana, making it unlikely that drugs played a role in his condition.

Court documents Thursday said the state had proven that Parsons did indeed commit all of the crimes, but Judge Smith said testimony from two doctors and other supporting evidence led the court to conclude that Parsons was unable to distinguish between right and wrong when he committed the violent acts.

According to police reports on the 2022 incident, a small fire broke out in the living room of a home south of Plattsmouth that afternoon.

When officers arrived, the fire had already been extinguished and Blackwell's body was lying on the ground covered in blood. She had multiple cuts on her body and a fatal stab wound to her chest.

Parsons was arrested at the scene. The affidavit was sealed at the time and court documents listed his address as “homeless.”

A hearing on Sept. 30 will determine whether Parsons poses a danger to himself or others. In the meantime, he will remain in custody without bail, court documents say.

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