Hardiman found guilty of second degree murder
Jadon Hardiman
by Danny Wade
A Jackson man was in court last week facing multiple charges including two counts of first degree murder. Jadon Davon Hardiman was charged with the murder of Justin Kevon Pankey of Humboldt and Xavier Clifton of Jackson that took place during a basketball game between the Humboldt High School Vikings and North Side Indians on November 30, 2021.
Hardiman was 18 years old at the time of the shooting. Pankey was 21 and Clifton was 18. A third victim, Dontavious Cross was also shot and was taken to a hospital where he was treated and released.
During a press conference days after the shooting, it was noted that Clifton’s life was potentially saved when HPD’s Laura Cano used her training and life-saving skills to keep Clifton alive. He was paralyzed from the shot. Clifton later died from his injury on March 6, 2022.
Hardiman was originally charged with first degree murder, attempted first degree murder with serious bodily injury, attempted first degree murder, armed dangerous felon (three counts), tampering with evidence and carrying a weapon (gun) on school property. After Clifton passed away, a second first degree murder charge was made, taking the place of one of the attempted first degree murder charges.
In court last week during the three-day trial, Hardiman pled not guilty to all charges. Judge Clayburn Peeples presided over the trial in Humboldt.
After hearing hours of testimony, the jury returned their verdicts on the five indictments.
On indictment one of first degree murder, the jury found Hardiman guilty of the lesser offense of second degree murder.
Count two indictment of first degree murder, the jury again lowered it to second degree murder
The third count of attempted first degree murder was decreased to the offense of attempted second degree murder.
The jury found Hardiman guilty of count four—possessing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, and count five—carrying a firearm on school property with intent to go armed.
District Attorney General Frederick Agee said Hardiman is facing up to 76 years in prison on the conviction of these crimes.
During the press conference in 2021 that took place after the shooting, DA Agee had some firm words regarding the incident, “Ladies and gentlemen, make no mistake about it, our office will fully prosecute this case to the full extent of the law. It is our intent; it will be my mission as the D.A. to make sure that Jadon Hardiman never walks as a free man again. We will not allow violent criminal acts to take place in our schools in Gibson County.”
After the trial last week, Agee recapped accounts of the three days in the courtroom in his statement, saying, “After an extensive three-day jury trial that concluded on November 20, 2024, in the Circuit Court of Gibson County at Humboldt Law Court, defendant Jadon Hardiman, age 21, was convicted of two counts of second degree murder, attempted second degree murder, employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, carrying a weapon on school property with the intent to go armed, and aggravated assault.”
DA Agee offered some insight of the actual shooting in his statement after the trial, “On November 30, 2021, Hardiman, at age 18, came from Jackson to Humboldt High School, which was hosting a basketball game versus North Side High School, minutes before halftime. Hardiman and three other males, after briefly entering the gymnasium, exited into the lobby concession area at halftime, where many attendees, including students, families, and children were present. Justin Pankey, age 21, a former Humboldt High School basketball player, also entered the lobby area from the gym. Hardiman pulled a semi-automatic .40 caliber handgun from his person and fired three times towards Mr. Pankey and the crowd near the concession stand. One round struck Mr. Pankey, killing him within seconds.
“The second round struck Xavier Clifton, a former North Side High School student and basketball player, in the neck, paralyzing him. Mr. Clifton was standing in the concession line. He remained in medical facilities for over three months before succumbing to his injuries in March of 2022.
“The third round struck Dontavious Cross, another former North Side High School student, in the back of the head; he received medical treatment and recovered.
“Many people were placed in fear of imminent bodily injury by Hardiman’s shooting, as shown by video footage of their fleeing into the gym, into bathrooms, and other areas of the school.
“Our office sincerely thanks the jury for their service, particularly because this was a difficult case for everyone involved. I want to personally thank my staff for their dedicated hard work in efficiently bringing this case to trial and the Humboldt Police Department, teamed with the TBI, for their diligent investigation and trial preparation. Finally, we appreciate every civilian witness that helped us carry this case through to the end. We hope that we have given our Humboldt community a sense of security, knowing that the defendant has been held accountable for his violent acts that took the lives of two young men, injured another, and frightened every adult, student, and child present, who were only there to support their team and enjoy a good game.”
Bryan Huffman and Patrick Dollar, attorneys for Hardiman, offered a post trial statement, “This was a tragic event and an emotionally charged case, and our hearts go out to all the victims involved. Mr. Hardiman was facing several charges, including premeditated murder in the first degree and murder in the perpetration of a felony. The state was seeking a punishment of life without the possibility of parole. The jury’s verdict removed life without the possibility of parole. Mr. Hardiman’s sentencing hearing will be handled at a later date, and our next order of business in this case is to prepare for it.”
