Louisiana Supreme Court to hear arguments in killing of ex-Jets RB Joe McKnight

Louisiana’s Supreme Court will decide whether the man who killed ex-Jets RB Joe McKnight can be tried again for murder after his conviction on a lesser charge was overturned.

The Louisiana Supreme Court has decided to hear arguments on whether the man accused of killing former Jets running back Joe McKnight in a 2016 road rage incident can be tried for murder again after his conviction on a lesser charge was overturned, according to The Associated Press.

Ronald Gasser was originally charged with second-degree murder in the shooting of McKnight. However, the jury convicted Gasser of manslaughter in a verdict that was later overturned because it came from a non-unanimous jury.

District Attorney prosecutors from Jefferson Parish — a suburb outside of New Orleans — want another chance to try Gasser for murder with his manslaughter conviction now overturned. According to the District Attorney’s office, Gasser’s overturned manslaughter conviction should not be treated as an acquittal on the murder charge.

A state district judge and a state appellate panel originally agreed in a 2-1 ruling that trying Gasser for murder a second time would violate his double jeopardy constitutional protection. The Louisiana Supreme Court has yet to set a date for arguments on the issue.

In 2018, Gasser was convicted of manslaughter by a 10-2 vote and sentenced to 30 years in prison for fatally shooting McKnight in a road rage incident on Dec. 1, 2016. At Gasser’s trial, witnesses testified McKnight had been weaving in and out of traffic at a high speed prior to the shooting. Prosecutors argued that Gasser escalated the incident by chasing McKnight over a bridge for 5 miles and following him down an exit that he normally would not have taken. Gasser claimed that he acted in self-defense as McKnight lunged into his car.

McKnight starred at USC before being selected by the Jets in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He was with the team from 2010-2012. He saw limited action as a rookie, running for 158 yards on 32 carries.

In 2011, McKnight emerged as a return threat for the Jets, returning a kick for 107 yards, the longest play in franchise history.

McKnight was released by the Jets in 2013. He resurfaced with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2014 but suffered a torn Achilles tendon in a September practice, ending his season. He was then subsequently released by the Chiefs. Prior to his death, McKnight was a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.

Killer of former Jets RB Joe McKnight granted new trial

An appeals court has granted the killer of former Jets running back Joe McKnight a new trial.

The Louisiana 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has granted the killer of former Jets running back Joe McKnight a new trial after his manslaughter conviction was delivered by a split jury, according to The Associated Press.

In 2018, Ronald Gasser was convicted of manslaughter by a 10-2 vote and sentenced to 30 years in prison for fatally shooting McKnight in a road rage incident on Dec. 1, 2016. However, the sentence and his conviction were vacated on Wednesday. The panel’s decision comes after the U.S. Supreme Court voted to outlaw split-jury verdicts in April. The ruling was retroactive to all cases with split-jury verdicts currently under appeal.

At Gasser’s initial trial, witnesses testified McKnight had been weaving in and out of traffic at a high speed prior to the shooting. However, prosecutors argued that Gasser escalated the incident by chasing McKnight over a bridge for five miles and following him down an exit that he normally would not have taken. Gasser’s defense claims that he acted in self-defense, as McKnight lunged into his car. According to the prosecution, physical evidence proved to be false.

Gasser’s attorney, Dane Ciolino, said Gasser would remain in custody until his bond hearing is scheduled.

McKnight starred at USC before being drafted by the Jets in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft and was with the team from 2010-2012. He saw limited action as a rookie, running for 158 yards on 32 carries.

In 2011, McKnight emerged as a return threat for the Jets, returning a kick for 107 yards, good enough for the longest play in franchise history. He was named an All-Pro kick returner that season.

McKnight was released by the Jets in 2013 and spent all of 2013 out of football. He resurfaced with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2014, but suffered a torn Achilles tendon in a September practice, ending his season. He was then subsequently released by the Chiefs. Prior to his death, McKnight was a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.

Gang Green’s best of the 2010s: A look at the Jets’ all-decade team

The Jets Wire names the Jets 2010’s all-decade team with New York’s franchise-worst 10-year stretch ending with a 7-9 finish.

The Jets’ decade started with an AFC Championship appearance, but since then they’ve endured one of the worst stretches in franchise history.

New York has only had one season since in which it was over .500 and failed to return to the playoffs. The Jets have now gone nine consecutive seasons without a playoff berth and a record four straight losing seasons after faring 10-6 in 2015.

To finish off the decade, the Jets went 6-2 after a 1-7 finish, but they still have yet to play meaningful football beyond the first week of January. It seems Gang Green has its quarterback of the future, but does it have enough to start off the next decade with a playoff trip?

Decisions for the future are coming. For now, let’s take a look at the Jets’ 2010s all-decade team:

Offense

East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker (87) and New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) celebrate Marshall’s touchdown during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Patriots 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

QB Mark Sanchez: Sanchez was consistently average during his time in New York, but that’s enough to be the team’s best quarterback of the decade. He was the only one to lead Gang Green to the playoffs in this decade. During his time as New York’s signal-caller, Sanchez went 33-29, a much more impressive record than what Geno Smith, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh McCown. The hope is that Sam Darnold will do more to earn the nod 10 years from now.

RB Chris Ivory: Acquired via trade in one of John Idzik’s first moves as New York’s general manager, Ivory had a rather productive three-year tenure in green and white. He ran for over 800 yards in all three seasons, including going over 1,000 yards in 2015.

WR Brandon Marshall: Marshall spent just two seasons with New York, but his 2015 was enough to garner a mention on this list. Marshall set the team record for catches and yards and tied Don Maynard for touchdowns. In 2015, Marshall had 109 catches for 1,502 yards and 14 touchdowns.

WR Eric Decker: Paired with Marshall, the Jets had one of the most dynamic passing attacks in the league. He could never establish himself as a No. 1 target, but Decker put up those numbers opposite of Marshall. In 2015, Decker had 80 receptions for 1,027 yards and 12 touchdowns.

WR Santonio Holmes: While Holmes’ Jets career ended on a sour note, he is still largely responsible for helping New York reach its second AFC Championship Game in as many seasons. While his statistics don’t tell the whole story because of his four-game suspension to the begin the season, Holmes was as clutch as can be when it counted.

TE Dustin Keller: One of the more productive tight ends in the history of the franchise, the Jets have been unable to replicate Keller’s success since he departed New York. He finished his six-year tenure with the Jets catching 241 passes for 2,876 yards and 17 scores.

OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson: Ferguson was a staple on the Jets offensive line. He was the glue that kept the left side together and New York never had to worry about it quarterback’s blindside when he was on the field.

OG James Carpenter: Carpenter was the best the Jets had to offer at left guard during the decade. He was a reliable fixture brought in by Idzik and started every single game for New York from 2015-17.

C Nick Mangold: An All-Pro in 2010, Mangold would appear in five of his seven Pro Bowl appearances during the 2010s. The Jets are still itching to find a competent center as his replacement.

OG Brandon Moore: Moore is more famous for Mark Sanchez running into his behind, but he is the best the Jets had at right guard from 2010 on.

RT Damien Woody: While Woody has now spent more time as an ESPN personality than with Gang Green this decade, he provided the most stability at a position that has been a thorn in the Jets’ side.

Honorable Mentions: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, RB Bilal Powell, RB Shonn Greene, WR Robby Anderson, OG Brian Winters, OT Kelvin Beachum.

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