The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Jackson’s preliminary hearing set
By Kristy Acuff
Stephanie Jackson, accused murderer of her brother, Jacob Millison, will hear the details of the evidence against her at a preliminary hearing set for November 1 and 2 at 8:30 a.m. in Gunnison County Court.
Jackson, aged 33, is charged with first-degree murder (Class 1 felony), two counts of tampering with a deceased human body (Class 3 felonies), seven counts of accessory to murder in the first degree (Class 4 felonies), three counts of tampering with a witness (Class 4 felonies), two counts of tampering with physical evidence (Class 6 felonies), concealing a death (Class 1 misdemeanor), and abuse of a corpse (Class 2 misdemeanor) in connection with the murder of Millison, who was 29 years old at the time of his death.
At the preliminary hearing, the state district attorney will present evidence and witnesses to Judge Ashley Burgemeister in an effort to convince her that there is “probable cause” that Jackson committed the crimes for which she is accused. If probable cause is established, then the case will proceed to trial.
Friends of Millison reported him missing in May 2015, and authorities eventually discovered his desecrated body in July 2017, buried in a horse corral on the ranch owned by his mother, Deborah Rudibaugh.
Rudibaugh was also arrested and charged with one count of first-degree murder (Class 1 felony), one count of abuse of a corpse (Class 2 misdemeanor), one count of false reporting (Class 3 misdemeanor) and one count of tampering with a deceased human body (Class 3 felony).
The case against Rudibaugh, age 68, continues to proceed through the courts as well, albeit at a slower pace. On July 13, Rudibaugh’s defense attorney requested and was granted a third continuance for a status conference that is now set for September 4.
Both Jackson and Rudibaugh are currently held in Gunnison County detention center. Rudibaugh is being held without bond, while Jackson’s bond is $500,000.
