The Man Who Shot Lady Gaga’s Dog Walker Was Sentenced To 21 Years In Prison
Despite the fact that law enforcement and the justice system are known to be stalwart, trustworthy institutions, somehow, the gunman in the February 2021 attack in which Lady Gaga’s dog walker, Ryan Fischer, was brutally beaten and shot, and two of her three French bulldogs were stolen was accidentally released from prison because of a “clerical error” back in April while awaiting trial. Oopsie! But luckily, the gunman, 19-year-old James Howard Jackson, was recaptured a few months later and was just sentenced to 21 years in the slammer for his role in the attack.
Yahoo! News says James–who wasn’t the only person involved in the attack but was the one who pulled the trigger when a courageous Ryan fought like hell to keep Gaga’s beloved dogs from being taken–pleaded no contest before the judge handed down the hefty ruling.
In a statement, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office tells Yahoo Entertainment, “A settlement was reached today in the case of the People vs. James Howard Jackson. Mr. Jackson pleaded no contest to one count of attempted murder and admitted the allegation of inflicting great bodily injury and to a prior strike. He immediately was sentenced to 21 years in state prison. Also, Harold White pleaded no contest to a count of ex-convict in possession of a gun. He will be sentenced next year. The plea agreement holds Mr. Jackson accountable for perpetrating a coldhearted violent act and provides justice for our victim. The District Attorney’s Office works to hold to account anyone who commits violent acts in our community.”
As we know, two of the dogs–Koji and Gustav were taken, but later returned by a woman involved in the attack when Gaga offered a “no questions asked” $500,000 reward. Obviously, questions were asked and she was apprehended. The third dog, Asia, avoided capture and stayed with Ryan as he bled out on the sidewalk. Poor Ryan still struggles both physically and emotionally to this day, and read an impact statement at the sentencing.
Fischer explained in court that he’s since endured “lung collapse after lung collapse,” “loss of career, friendships, aimlessly traveling the country” and staggering expenses.
“I do forgive you,” Fischer said during his victim impact statement, according to Rolling Stone. “With the attack, you completely altered my life. I know I can’t completely move on from the night you shot me until I said those words to you.”
Fischer thanked Jackson for leaving the dogs unharmed.
“They were returned and returned to their mom,” he said. “I don’t think I could have lived with myself if they died.”
Ryan also posted the full statement on Instagram and thanked those who’ve supported him:
Gaga hasn’t commented on the sentence yet, but she’s probably now completely engrossed in perfecting her Cabaret meets high-pitched Brooklyn bimbo voice in case that musical Harley Quinn deal talks pan out. Best Actress Oscar, or bust!
Pics: Instagram/Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department