Suspect arrested in murder of co-founder of Harlem Globetrotters

Stephen Jackson was arrested Tuesday in Los Angeles in connection with the May 27 murder of a co-founder of the Harlem Globetrotters and his wife

June 7, 2000
Web posted at: 2:25 a.m. EDT (0625 GMT)

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- A man suspected of murdering a co-founder of the Harlem Globetrotters and his wife on May 27 was arrested Tuesday, Los Angeles Police Chief Bernard Parks said.

Stephen Jackson was charged with two counts of murder with special circumstances and one count of robbery by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office, Parks told reporters.

Authorities said they found evidence in Jackson's hotel room that linked him to the murders. They did not elaborate.

Albert and Edna Patton -- aged 90 and 85 respectively -- were found stabbed to death in their apartment the evening of May 27. Their bodies were discovered by a neighbor.

Parks said Tuesday that there were no signs of forced entry.

"Having known Mr. Patton for a number of years personally, it was a shock to me to find this incident had occurred," Parks said at the news conference.

Albert Patton founded the famous basketball group with Abe Saperstein in 1925.

The Globetrotters are best known for their antics on the court, spinning the ball on their fingers, goofing around with fans in the stands and sometimes even kicking the ball like a football.

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Harlem Globetrotters Official Site
Los Angeles Police Department

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