Trial starts in Chesapeake for man charged with bomb threats

CHESAPEAKE

The trial of a man accused of making multiple bomb threats began today in Chesapeake Circuit Court.

Mark L. Jackson, 42, was charged with making the threats that caused traffic jams and forced the evacuation of a shopping center, a high school and courthouse building last year.

A 911 caller, using what a dispatcher described as an “Arabic accent,’’ made the threats over various payphones on August 21 and Sept. 12, 2007. The first threat came August 21 at 4:22 p.m. to the dispatch center, Megan Lucas, a dispatcher, testified today.

“The male said there was a bomb on the Great Bridge Bridge and it’s going to detonate in 27 minutes,’’ Lucas said in court.

Jackson, a Great Bridge resident, had pleaded not guilty to seven counts of making bomb threats, felonies carrying a punishment of up to 10 years each in prison.

Public Defender Kathleen Ortiz is expected to present an insanity defense and said in court today that Jackson has a history of mental disorders.

The threats in August caused a traffic backup for several miles as well as detours while emergency personnel checked the bridge and a nearby shopping area.

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Amy James played audio of the threats, the second coming at 4:35 p.m. that day. “There is a bomb in Great Bridge Shopping Center going off in 24 minutes,’’ the caller told the dispatcher.

In September of 2007, the threats were made to Great Bridge High School, the Great Bridge Bridge, Greenbrier Mall and Chesapeake General District Court. The first call to the high school came at 8:43 a.m. that day and was followed by another at 8:45 a.m.

“There is a second bomb at Great Bridge High School going off at 11 o’clock,’’ the calls said.

Missy Teachman testified today that she was at her shop, Tan Cabana at the Great Bridge Shopping Center, when she noticed a nicely dressed man using a payphone minutes before police arrived.

She identified the man as Jackson and said he was wearing slacks and a jacket with what appeared to be a Ralph Lauren insignia. On another occasion, a crane operator said a man wearing a similar blazer was seen at a 7-Eleven payphone on South Battlefield Boulevard.

The bench trial before Judge Bruce Kushner is expected to continue into Friday.