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Arrest Made in Wewahitchka Murder Save Email Print
Posted: 4:31 PM Sep 3, 2008
 Last Updated: 7:53 PM Sep 3, 2008
 Reporter: Mark Vaughn
Email Address: mark.vaughn@wjhg.com
11 comments
3 Year Murder Solved
A | A | A

The Gulf County Sheriff's Office has arrested a suspected killer.

Random Matthew Jackson is charged with the September 2005 murder of Justin Jay Curcie in Wewahitchka. Curcie's remains were scattered over a two mile wooded area, and it took the medical examiner's office seven months to identify him.

It has taken even longer to identify a suspect, but they believe they have their man.

On September 12, 2005, Gulf County sheriff's deputies found the remains of Justin Curcie scattered through a two mile wooded area in Wewahitchka. Three years later, they have finally made an arrest.

Random Matthew Jackson, 22 years old, of Wewahitchka, was arrested today on an open count of murder.

Joe Nugent, Gulf County Sheriff, said, “Investigators from the Gulf County Sheriff's Office and Florida Department of Law Enforcement served the arrest warrant on Jackson at Washington County Correctional Institute where Jackson is being held on unrelated charges."

Sheriff Nugent says arresting Jackson was not a random move.

"It's been ongoing. He's been a suspect almost from the very beginning. We've eliminated several other suspects. We've just been working down the road and trying to get everything aligned and we finally got enough witnesses together that we feel we have a very good case."

The Gulf County Sheriff's Office has been investigating this case for three years, and after their hard work and even going door to door to develop leads, they are glad this day has come.

"We're very glad to bring closure to this for the family. Both parents have been notified and they understand what's going on."

Jackson is being held without bond, and he was taken back the state facility where he'll stay until he appears before a grand jury for indictment.

Sheriff Nugent isn't releasing a motive. He says they are still interviewing witnesses in the case.

Random Jackson will be transported from Washington County to Gulf County for his trial until he completes the remaining year of a two year sentence on drug charges. Once he serves that sentence, he will be transported to Gulf County.
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Posted by: Nunya Location: Wewahitchka, Fl on Dec 9, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Random Jackson was one of my best friends. I loved him with all my heart. If he wasn't messed up that night, he would never even though about killin Curcy. Random cried on my shoulder almost every day about this. Curcy was one of his good friends. This was all a big mistake, but we do miss Curcy and we all want him to know we love him and miss him. I went the other day to see where the found him in Iola and it was so weird being there. I love you Random AND Justin.
Posted by: paige Location: wewahitchka fl on Nov 20, 2008 at 09:28 PM
thank god this is over im glad to hear justins mom and dad are getting some closure now all we can do is miss him and and hope he knows it!!
Posted by: A Positive Voice Location: NC on Oct 21, 2008 at 07:24 AM
If this is not politically motivated...why did they make sure the media was there and not Jackson's represenative?
Posted by: Big Money Location: South Gulf County on Sep 8, 2008 at 12:17 AM
First of all, if some of you who posted on here would do research, and have your FACTS straight, we would not have a political conspiracy. Below are FACTS: Upchurch was elected Sheriff November 2004. He took office January 2005. Second, the murder occurred around the month of July 2005. Third, Nugent was appointed sheriff during the middle of September 2007. Fourth, the arrest was made during the first week of September 2008. If my calculations are correct, this made Upchurch Sheriff for 2 years and 8 months. Next, Nugent has now been Sheriff for a little less than 1 year. What kind of investigation was done prior to Nugents appointment? Why is this not an issue you bring to the this board? Because this factual information does not fit into your political agenda? How do you know most or all of this investigation was not done during the year Sheriff Nugent has been Gulf County Sheriff? You DON'T! So leave the politics out of it and stick to FACTS!
Posted by: Phil McCrevis Location: Wewahitchka on Sep 7, 2008 at 12:36 AM
Well the Sheriff election is close but Ain't come one, but many tine tanies! Just because they made an arrest close to election time that doesn't mean See, my damie,don't wa-da-tah to the shama cow... 'cause thats a cama cama leepa-chaiii, dig? This is another criminal that is off the streets so tippy ta on my clemadies
Posted by: Concerned Citizen Location: The Forgetten Coast on Sep 6, 2008 at 08:25 PM
As events continue to unfold it seems there are more people who think they know more about the law than the trained men and women in law enforcement. Why not give some credit for getting a murder suspect off the streets rather than making it political issue. Not everyone makes every arrest or issue a political one. But as this comment board gets a life of its own it gives the people who have no idea or any clue about law enforcement a means to put their two cents in. A good idea but do some research and get the facts straight before you voice you opinion. Give the man a chance to do his job and after four years or until he shows his inability to do the job then judge him. If you judge him on his actions why not judge him on all of his actions not just the ones that fit your political party or your ideas. I could understand if Nugent was a new comer to the area but he is an established Sheriff with numerous years of experience and service to the communit.
Posted by: Dave Location: Wewa on Sep 6, 2008 at 06:53 PM
Isnt it strange that the invesigators making the arrest are Mike Harrison contributors. Timing was not a issue. The only issue is that you are making a murder case a political issue. Time to step out of the closet and let people know what side your on. So lets get back to knowing that a arrest was made in a case that Mike Harrison, Chief Investigator, "SLOW WALKED", and this arrest could have been made two days after the body was found. Apparently you want more to come out. If you continue to banter we could tell you about Mike Harrison leaving the crime scene and going to a football game and asking investigators not to interview anyone. And that is well known. So put that in your pipe and smoke it!
Posted by: A positive voice Location: NC on Sep 6, 2008 at 02:28 AM
It seems to me that this "Temporary" Sheriff has already made the decision for the jury. "We're very glad we closed this for the family," All the Sheriff's Department has to go on is gossip. "There was no forensic evidence to speak of. It was a question of a lot of legwork, a lot of talking to people, a lot of interviewing of potential witnesses." (News Herald) Did they even think for once that the one's spreading the gossip (or dropping hints about evidence) maybe the ones that are involved in the murder and want to steer the investigation away from themselves? I would like to see Mr. Nugent really think about what he is doing to all persons involved and not just about his political future. When this case does go before the jury, I hope the man standing as Sheriff, got elected on his ability and not because he used this murder case as a political tactic.
Posted by: I Like Cops by JTKS Location: Gulf County on Sep 6, 2008 at 02:14 AM
What is tragic is the fact that no one seems to support the Sheriff's Office in it's effort to rid the streets of Gulf County from criminals. Don't accuse the Sheriff of making this arrest to make his campaign look good. Timing is not the greatest but there is no need to make up conspiracy theories. This is not CSI Miami, it is real police work that takes time to build a solid case. It sometimes takes 3 YEARS because evidence is not just dumped into the laps of your deputies or officers. As far as your opinion about law enforcement preparing unsufficiant cases, They are human and not robots. Every crime committed is different and so is the way the case is prepared. If you think you can make "The Perfect Case" then I urge you to get a job in Law Enforcement because you would be the only "Perfect Cop" who makes no mistakes. You know comments like these only discourages the the deputies and officers. The sad thing is that in the face of your ignorant comments, they still protect you!!!!
Posted by: Miss.Jane Location: Gulf on Sep 5, 2008 at 01:44 AM
My question is: Has Mr. Nuggent held off making an arrest due to his running for election for Sheriff of Gulf County to which he was appointed, not may I point out that he ran and was elected.Now the question is, will he and his Deputies write up the case so that it can be tried in court, with the proper wording so that the District Attorneies office can get a conviction. I personally have sat on two cases that I knew the people were guilty, but due to the wording of the Sheriff and the arresting officer you could not find for the State. Gulf County needs to learn to properly write up an arrest. The Judge nor the Attorney can make any arrest stick until the Sheriff's Department will do their job to the upmost efficency. We had many more cases won than lost when Mr. McKeithen was our Sheriff, and so now does Bay County. Gulf County needs a Sheriff that will do his job first, make sure his Deputies are doing their jobs and not listen to the big money in South Gulf County.
Posted by: Concerned Location: Florida on Sep 4, 2008 at 02:07 PM
This is a real tragic: A life was lost. I do hope justice is served. However, isn't it very ironic a 3 yr. old unsolved case is solved within 4 weeks of election??? Think about it???? If this boy is the guilty one, then why have they not done this before now?? Yes, I read about the old fashion police work that had to be done because there was not forensic evidence, but for 3 yrs.?? And besides most of what they have is based on what someone else said??? I truly hope they know what they are doing and their motives are for the right reasons and not for political gain. Personally to me this is a very low political tactic, I just hope Mr. Nugent can live with himself.
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