Murder Trial Began for Three Suspects in Cold Case
Jury selection is underway for the trial of three men accused in a 2017 fatal shooting near Gainesville.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Violence
Jury selection began at the Alachua County Courthouse for the murder trial of Nikenson Perin, Blake Jackson, and Keneth Altidor. The trio faces first-degree murder charges in the 2017 death of 23-year-old Christin Cassels.
Why it matters
The trial marks a significant development in a case that remained unsolved for seven years. Investigators eventually identified the suspects by analyzing cell phone data, leading to their arrests in 2024.
The defendants are currently held in the Alachua County Jail awaiting trial. Jury selection is expected to conclude Tuesday evening, with the full trial scheduled to proceed through the remainder of the week.
The players
Nikenson Perin
He is one of three defendants currently facing first-degree murder charges for his alleged involvement in the 2017 shooting.
Blake Jackson
He is a defendant in the trial who was arrested by investigators in 2024 regarding the fatal shooting of Christin Cassels.
Keneth Altidor
He is a defendant currently held in the Alachua County Jail while awaiting the outcome of the murder trial.
Christin Cassels
The 23-year-old victim was shot and killed near southeast U.S. Highway 301 in April 2017.
The details
Nikenson Perin, Blake Jackson, and Keneth Altidor are being tried together for the death of Christin Cassels, who was shot near southeast U.S. Highway 301 in April 2017. Prosecutors are presenting evidence gathered through digital forensics, which allowed law enforcement to connect the suspects to the incident long after the crime occurred.
Timeline
Christin Cassels was killed in April 2017.
The three suspects were arrested in 2024.
Jury selection for the trial began on September 22, 2026.
Legal Context
This case highlights the growing role of retrospective digital forensics in clearing long-standing backlogs of unsolved violent crimes. It follows a national trend where investigators use aging cell phone records to establish patterns of life and location, often yielding breakthroughs in cases stalled for years.
Residents in the Gainesville area may notice increased activity and security presence at the Alachua County Courthouse during the week of the trial. The proceedings bring closure to a long-unresolved investigation that occurred near a major local thoroughfare.
The takeaway
The resolution of this case illustrates how technological advancements can eventually overcome the challenges of historical evidence gaps. It serves as a reminder that long-term investigations often rely on the persistence of data recovery to bring charges years after an event.
What happens next
Jury selection is slated to finish Tuesday evening, followed by the commencement of the trial, which is expected to conclude by the end of the week.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings and local public safety, see our coverage of Violence.
