Jackson Makes Appearance on Armed Robbery Charge

Nicholas Jackson, the man charged with the armed robbery of Econolodge in Effingham in August made his first appearance with counsel Thursday morning in Effingham County Circuit Court.

The 24-year-old Jackson pleaded not guilty to the holdup, and will be back in court December 17 for a pre-trial hearing.

Jackson appeared in court in custody of Coles County authorities. He is also charged there with armed robbery for an alleged holdup of Casey's General Store in August and with home invasion for entering a home in Mattoon in March and tying up the family inside. He's due back in court there on December 8.