New trial date set for 72-year-old homicide suspect

A trial for a 72-year-old Hamilton woman charged with murder that was scheduled to begin today has been rescheduled for November.

Delores “DeeDee” Jackson, of Grant Circle, is accused in the stabbing death of a former neighbor, Diana Ross, 56, of Cincinnati, on June 14. She is also charged with tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony, for allegedly removing the knife from the crime scene.

Defense attorney David Brewer filed a motion to continue the trial because more time was needed to investigate and prepare. Butler County Common Pleas Judge Keith Spaeth granted the request and set Nov. 4 as the new trial date.

Jackson remains housed in the Butler County Jail in lieu of $300,000 bond.

Friends and family of the two women said they had known each other “their whole lives” and often argued. Until Ross moved to Cincinnati about a year ago, the women were neighbors.

Jackson acted in self defense after Ross knocked her out of her chair, according to family members who attended a court hearing last month.

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