Wilmington murder suspect yells out during first appearance

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — One of two murder suspects yelled out during her first appearance in a New Hanover County courtroom this morning.

Cerrica Jackson, 20, and Kalissa Durant, 24, both appeared before a judge charged with first-degree murder among other charges. Wilmington Police arrested the two women in connection with a murder Friday night in the 200 block of N. 13th Street.

While the judge told Durant her maximum possible sentence, which would be the death penalty, Durant spoke back. The judge told Durant she had a certain procedure she had to follow. Then, when Durant was walking to fill out paperwork, she pulled away from the bailiff.

As Durant headed out of the courtroom, she pulled away from the bailiff again and said, “Get your f****** hands off of me.”

WPD spokeswoman Cathryn Lindsay says Jackson is a validated gang member. They are both charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery in connection with the shooting of Antwyn Curtis Beatty, 34, of Wilmington.

Jackson, 20, was charged last year with shooting a man in both legs in a Wilmington apartment. The NC Department of Public Safety website shows she is on parole after being released from prison in January. Her criminal history includes convictions on gun charges, robbery and assault.

According to NCDPS, Durant has served nearly six years in prison mainly for robbery convictions. Court records show she also has pending charges in unrelated cases in New Hanover County, including charges of cyberstalking, communicating threats and carrying a concealed weapon.