HOUSTON — The man who broke into Houston rapper Bun B's home in 2019 and held a gun to his wife's head was sentenced to 40 years in prison Friday.
Demonte Alif Jackson pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery and burglary with intent to commit other offense. He will be eligible for parole after 20 years.
This comes after emotional testimony Thursday from Bun B, whose real name is Bernard Freeman, and his wife Chalvalier Freeman, who also goes by Queenie.
The Freemans said Jackson forced his way into their Third Ward home and put a gun to Queenie’s head to rob them and steal their car. Bun B, who was upstairs, grabbed a gun and came downstairs. He opened fire on Jackson, who by then was behind the wheel of a car in the family garage.
"I proceeded to unload my weapon," Bun B testified. "He fell out of the car. He threw his gun down. I started fighting with him. My wife came through the garage door. She started screaming."
Jackson's father spoke after the sentencing, saying he believes the couple's celebrity status landed his son a harsher sentence.
"I wanted to apologize on behalf of my son to the Freeman family for the pain that she did endure," he said. "However, I believe that just because you're a celebrity doesn't mean you should give somebody a life sentence."
Prosecutors denied the high profile of Bun B and his wife played a role in the sentencing.
Jackson was wounded in the shootout and then fled to a hospital, where he was arrested.
Queenie was so distraught at seeing her attacker in court Thursday that the judge called a recess. Jackson listened to her testimony from a different room.
"He said '(Expletive), give me everything you got,'" Queenie testified.
She also testified about the punishment she wanted in the case.
"Time in the penitentiary so he can see how it feels to get robbed of your freedom," she said.
While on the stand, Queenie talked about the psychological damage she suffered. She said she never returned to that house. The couple has since moved to Fort Bend County and they have private security.
When Jackson's father was testifying for the defense, Jackson had an outburst.
Jackson’s father said his son was a standout high school football player who had everything, including two cars and a moped, but he wasn't disciplined because he wanted to be a friend and not a father.
Jackson’s parents also testified that their son has an IQ of 81 and mental health issues.