Garrett Ward sentenced to 30 years for death of Andre Jackson

A New Orleans real estate agent was sentenced Monday to 30 years in prison for beating an elderly man to death in 2018.

One witness said Garrett Ward, now 29, called Andre Jackson a “f—ing n—–” while ruthlessly attacking the 60-year-old Black man outside a hotel in downtown New Orleans.

Ward denied the claims of racism and argued at trial that he simply acted in self-defense in the early morning hours of Jan. 6, 2018.

But Ward was convicted of second-degree manslaughter last month, and Judge Robin Pittman hit him with the 30-year sentence on Monday, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reported.

Ward briefly passed out drunk near the luxury Pontchartrain Hotel on the night of the incident. When he woke up, Jackson was nearby. Ward claimed that Jackson was reaching into his pocket, attempting to steal his cellphone. Witnesses said Jackson was just standing there. There was no video footage of the incident.

One witness then described the attack, saying Ward went on a racist diatribe while beating Jackson.

“You f—ing n—–,” Ward said, according to the witness. “Get a job, you f—ing bum.”

Ward ruthlessly attacked Jackson, who was overwhelmed and didn’t ever land a punch, according to prosecutors.

Speaking in his own defense, Ward claimed that when he woke up he believed he was under attack and simply lashed out in response.

Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams celebrated Monday’s sentence as justice for Jackson’s family.

“The lack of humanity and respect shown by the defendant as he viciously attacked the victim, Mr. Jackson — a 60-year-old Black man — was reprehensible,” Williams told the Times-Picayune. “When I met with Mr. Jackson’s family last year, I promised his loved ones that I would see this case to the end with them. The conviction last month and today’s 30-year sentence represent the fulfillment of that promise.”