A woman, previously sentenced to 25 years in prison for first-degree murder, shared details of her interaction with Kim Kardashian following the reality star’s assistance in securing her release. Dawn Jackson, 54, had been incarcerated since 1999 for the fatal stabbing of her step-grandfather, Robert McBride, during a dispute. However, she was freed nine months ago after Kardashian brought attention to her case, leading to a clemency grant from New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.
Advocates, including Kardashian, emphasized Jackson’s history of childhood sexual abuse as a crucial factor that should have been considered during her sentencing. These efforts ultimately persuaded Governor Murphy to intervene by granting clemency.
The bond between Jackson and Kim Kardashian started in 2018 when a fellow inmate suggested she reach out to the celebrity regarding criminal justice reform. Following numerous exchanges, Jackson was featured in Kardashian’s 2020 Oxygen documentary series, “Kim Kardashian: The Justice Project.”
The pivotal moment occurred during a phone call that initially seemed surreal to Jackson. “Kim shared with me that my story had moved her. She mentioned receiving several letters from me that deeply impacted her. She expressed how it resonated with her as a mother who would never want her child to experience such hardships,” Jackson recounted.
The culmination of advocacy efforts came when Governor Murphy personally informed Jackson of his clemency decision during a phone call. He scheduled the signing of her release papers to coincide with her upcoming wedding anniversary on December 16, which left Jackson overwhelmed with emotion.
Reflecting on her release day, Jackson described the profound experience of transitioning from the confines of prison to the freedom of standing outside without restraints. The celebratory atmosphere continued with a FaceTime call to Kim Kardashian.
During a surprise encounter in Beverly Hills, their relationship reached a new level of appreciation as they met in person and shared a heartfelt moment. Jackson expressed deep gratitude for Kardashian’s support, particularly in discussing her history of sexual abuse, a topic she had not disclosed publicly until then.
Since her release in December 2024, Jackson has embarked on a journey of reconnecting with her family and pursuing higher education. However, the initial euphoria of freedom has given way to the harsh realities faced by many individuals post-incarceration, including housing and employment challenges.
Despite setbacks, Jackson is resolute in rebuilding her life and is currently studying social work at Rutgers University in Newark. She aims to leverage her experiences to raise awareness about criminal justice issues through speaking engagements at colleges.
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