The man who shot Lady Gaga’s dog walker and stole two of her French bulldogs has been sentenced to 21 years in prison.
James Howard Jackson, one of three men and two accomplices who participated in last year’s violent robbery, said he did not contest the attempted murder charge, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office said.
The dog sitter, Ryan Fischer, said he had a “Very Close Call with Death”.
Lady Gaga has offered a $500,000 reward — “no questions asked” — for the animals’ safe return.
The dogs, Koji and Gustav, were returned several days later by Jennifer McBride, who was also charged.
Ryan Fischer was heard shouting “help me” on a doorbell camera. Instagram photo: Valley of the Dogs
Investigators don’t believe the thieves knew who the dogs belonged to.
The reason was their value, which can run into thousands of dollars.
Jackson and the others toured Hollywood, the city of West Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley on Feb. 24, 2021, “looking for French bulldogs,” prosecutors previously said, finding Mr. Fischer with the pop’s three pets. star.
After Jackson shot Mr. Fischer, a nearby doorbell camera recorded the dog walker yelling, “Oh, my God! I got shot!” and “Help me! I’m bleeding from my chest!”
James Howard Jackson was sentenced to 21 years in prison
Jackson also admitted to inflicting grievous bodily harm and a prior misdemeanor, the district attorney’s office said.
“The plea deal holds Mr. Jackson accountable for perpetrating a cold-hearted violent act and secures justice for our victim,” the office said in a statement.
Another accomplice, Harold White, did not contest charges of being an ex-con in possession of a gun.
White, who was in a relationship with McBride at the time, will be sentenced next year.
The couple allegedly tried to help White’s son Jaylin White avoid arrest in the aftermath of the shooting.
Earlier this year, Jaylin White pleaded no contest to the second-degree robbery and was sentenced to four years in state prison.
