Albany police make arrest in cold-case homicides

ALBANY — Wildmon Bryant admitted that the moment was bittersweet for him and other members of two families who came to the downtown Albany Law Enforcement Center Thursday for a hastily called news conference.

Wildmon Bryant spoke moments after Albany Police Department Det. Terrance Bryant announced that APD had made an arrest in two cold-case murders that went back three years. Danta Bernad Brown of Albany was arrested and charged in the murders of Jessica Bryant and Jimmy Jackson. Also being sought by APD in those cases are Dawayne Lamontrail Anderson, Ronell Lee Tidwell and Zackteria Ushone White.

“Today, I am proud to say on behalf of Chief Michael Persley and the entire Albany Police Department that we have made an arrest in the homicides of Jessica Bryant and Jimmy Jackson,” Terrance Bryant told news media and members of both victims’ families. “We have arrested Donta Brown and are currently searching for Dawayne Lamontrail Anderson, Zackteria White and Ronell Tidwell.

“We believe that both of these cold cases are related and have asked the Marshal’s Service to assist us in locating White and Tidwell. Both are believed to be out of state. We encourage anyone in the community who has any information about these suspects to locate the department.”

Bryant said he and fellow detectives Charlie Roberts and Kalandria Peterson-Kearney had no leads when they began investigating the Oct. 18, 2014, homicide of Bryant. Jackson, meanwhile, was listed as a missing person for two years. His body was discovered in Terrell County, and officials with the GBI later confirmed that the remains were those of Jackson.

“We cannot say a lot about these cases because they are still under investigation, but we have confirmed that they are related and there was a motive,” Bryant, who served as lead detective during the investigation, said. “We did not have leads early in the investigation, and we were unable to get anyone to talk about the case.

“Because of the seriousness of the case, there was a great deal of fear (among potential witnesses) in talking to law enforcement. But over time, people move on and others are more apt to speak. That’s how we were able to come to the point where we are now.”

Wildmon Bryant, the father of Jessica Bryant, lauded APD for its efforts in making an arrest in his daughter’s slaying.

“This has been a long time coming,” he said. “I want to thank the Albany Police Department for not giving up. I’ve seen cases where the people investigating just give up and walk away. Not in this city, not in Albany. We have a caring police department in Albany, and I thank God for them.”

Pastor Donny Green, Jessica Bryant’s uncle, said he and his family got through the ordeal through prayer.

“We never gave up hope that the people who did this would be brought to justice,” Green said. “I thank God for the closure, and I thank God for our hard-working police department. My heart is full right now.”

Brown and all three suspects sought by police in the cases are charged with murder, armed robbery and aggravated assault.

APD Lt. Keithen Hall praised Bryant, Roberts and Peterson-Kearney for their relentless effort in tracking down the suspects in the two cases.

“This is a joyful day because we bring peace to two families today,” Hall said. “We’re making this announcement today because these three detectives put in countless hours, pretty much left their families for three or four weeks as they worked these cold cases. They went from one side of the state to the other, and today we announce that their efforts paid off.”

Curel Tarpley, Jimmy Jackson’s cousin, said he had mixed feelings about the announcement.

“We did get to see justice in this case,” Tarpley said. “But I don’t know about closure. Nothing that’s done from this point on is going to bring my cousin back.”