Turner Family Demanded Rick Jackson End Campaign Ads
Attorneys for the family of Secoriea Turner issued a formal request to cease using her image in political advertisements.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Violence
The family of 8-year-old Secoriea Turner has demanded that the Rick Jackson campaign stop using her likeness, audio, and mother's statements in new political ads. The campaign has refused the request and moved forward with the commercials, which criticize a former mayor's actions during a 2020 crisis.
Why it matters
The family claims the campaign is exploiting their personal tragedy and pain for political gain in the ongoing election cycle. Jackson's team maintains the ads are necessary to highlight a perceived failure of leadership during the 2020 unrest in Atlanta.
Julian Conley is serving life plus 25 years, while Jerrion McKinney is serving a 40-year sentence for their roles in the 2020 killing of 8-year-old Secoriea Turner.
The players
Secoriea Turner
She was an 8-year-old girl who was shot and killed in Atlanta on July 4, 2020, amid widespread civil unrest.
Rick Jackson
He is a political candidate who is currently using images and audio of Secoriea Turner in his campaign advertisements.
Julian Conley
He was convicted in September 2025 and sentenced to life in prison plus 25 years for the killing of Secoriea Turner.
Jerrion McKinney
He is a criminal defendant who received a 40-year sentence for charges related to the killing of Secoriea Turner.
The details
The Rick Jackson campaign advertisements feature photos, 911 audio recordings, and comments from Turner's mother to attack a political opponent. Attorneys for the Turner family held a press conference on October 8, 2026, to formally demand the removal of these materials after learning the campaign intended to continue their usage.
Timeline
Secoriea Turner was shot and killed in Atlanta on July 4, 2020.
A jury found Julian Conley guilty of murder in September 2025.
The Turner family learned of the campaign's continued plans on October 7, 2026.
Attorneys held a press conference regarding the advertisements on October 8, 2026.
Legal Context
The current controversy over the usage of victim imagery is deeply rooted in the 2020 Atlanta protests following the death of Rayshard Brooks. This case marks a high-profile intersection between the legal finality of criminal sentencing and the ongoing political debate over 2020 public safety policies.
The use of these materials in political advertising has drawn public attention to the sensitivity of using tragic incidents in local election campaigns. Residents may see increased discourse or protests regarding the appropriate use of crime victim imagery in the public square.
The takeaway
The tension between political candidates and victims' families highlights the difficult balance between public interest discourse and the right to privacy for grieving families. Voters may need to weigh the appropriateness of campaign messaging tactics when evaluating candidate character.
Further reading
For more information on safety and public incidents in the city, visit the Atlanta Violence section.
