Lady Gaga’s dognapper jailed for 21 years – 22 months after he stole her pet and shot her dog walker in Hollywood
- James Howard Jackson pleads not guilty to one count of attempted murder
- Jackson and others were driving “in search of a French bulldog” near Hollywood on Feb. 24, 2021, before encountering Gaga’s dog walker, Ryan Fischer, 41
- Jackson shot Fischer during robbery near Sunset Boulevard during which two dogs were taken
- The pop star’s dogs were returned two days later by a woman who claims to have found them tied to a pole
- Authorities said the link to Lady Gaga was purely coincidental and the singer’s pets were not targeted due to her celebrity status
The man who shot Lady Gaga’s dog walker and stole her French bulldog last year pleaded guilty and was sentenced Monday to 21 years in prison, officials said.
James Howard Jackson, one of three men and two accomplices involved in the violent robbery, pleaded not guilty to one count of attempted murder, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors previously said Jackson and others drove around Hollywood on February 24, 2021, “in search of a French bulldog.” They tracked down Lady Gaga’s dog walker, Ryan Fischer, 41, and the pop star’s three pets, Asia, Koji and Gustav.
Jackson shot and killed Fischer during the robbery near Sunset Boulevard, during which two dogs were taken. A nearby doorbell camera recorded the dog walker screaming: “Oh my God! I’ve been shot!” and “Help me!” ’ and ‘My chest is bleeding! ”
Jailed: James Howard Jackson, the man who shot Lady Gaga’s dog walker and stole her French bulldog last year, accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to 21 years in prison on Monday
Fischer lost part of his lung. About a month after the murder, he posted on Instagram that his recovery was going well.
Two days later, the pop star’s dogs were returned by a woman who claimed she found them tied to a pole and demanded Lady Gaga’s $500,000 reward if the dogs behaved “without asking any questions” return. The singer was filming a movie in Rome at the time.
The woman was charged with receiving stolen property and the other suspect’s father was charged with helping him evade arrest.
Authorities said the link to Lady Gaga was purely coincidental and that the singer’s pets were not targeted because of her celebrity status.
The motive was the value of French bulldogs, which can be worth thousands of dollars, and detectives don’t believe the thieves knew the dogs belonged to musicians.
Tough times: Lady Gaga is pictured with her French bulldog, Koji, who was stolen from the street when her dog walker was attacked by armed forces on February 24, 2021
Lady Gaga’s dog walker Ryan Fischer (left) was shot in the chest while walking the singer’s French bulldogs, which were later stolen in Hollywood
Koji (left) and Gustav (right) were snatched by attackers after Jackson hit Fischer in the chest during the melee
Fischer, 41, lost organ fragments to shooting after collapsed lung
Jackson also pleaded guilty to charges of causing grievous bodily harm and prior strike, the prosecutor’s office said Monday. He was sentenced to 21 years in prison.
The office said in a statement that the plea deal holds Mr. Jackson accountable for the callous act of violence and justice for our victims.
DailyMail.com has reached out to Lady Gaga’s representatives for comment.
On February 24, 2021, Fischer (pictured) was filmed on CCTV in Hollywood when he was ambushed
Back in August, Jackson was recaptured after being wrongfully released from the Los Angeles County Jail for allegedly shooting Lady Gaga’s dog walker and stealing her French bulldog.
The county sheriff’s department said in a statement that he was arrested nearly five months after being released “due to a clerical error” while awaiting trial.
Jackson’s arrest comes as one of the three men charged in the case pleaded no contest to second-degree robbery.
Jaylin Keyshawn White, 20, was sentenced to four years in prison immediately, Deputy District Attorney Michele Hanisee told NBC4.
Authorities say the link to Lady Gaga is purely coincidental and her pets were not targeted due to the singer’s celebrity status (pictured in August 2022)
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