Dorothy Day assault: suspect charged with murder after victim's death
Jerry Jovan Harris, 37, was charged in Ramsey County with second-degree murder and manslaughter after the death of Isaiah Jacob Wilson, who was assaulted outside the Dorothy Day Center on Aug. 3.[1]
Prosecutors say security footage shows Harris "lifted his leg, reared back and punched" Wilson with no prior physical altercation, according to the charging document.[1] Medical records list Wilson's cause of death as an acute left frontal subdural hematoma that led to brain death, and he was declared neurologically brain-dead and taken off life support on Aug. 7.[1]
The assault occurred on Aug. 3 outside the Dorothy Day Center, according to charging papers.[1] Harris previously faced a 2025 fifth-degree assault charge and a 2023 domestic-assault charge, the filings say.[1]
Earlier reporting on Aug. 11 noted that Isaiah Wilson had died days after the assault.[2] Ramsey County prosecutors filed the murder and manslaughter charges on Aug. 13 after further review of video and medical evidence, Fox 9 reported.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- Suspect identified as 37-year-old St. Paul man Jerry Jovan Harris.
- Harris is formally charged in Ramsey County with second-degree murder and manslaughter.
- A charging document describes security video showing Harris “lifted his leg, reared back and punched” the victim, and reports there was no prior physical altercation.
- The victim is identified as Isaiah Jacob Wilson; his cause of death was an acute left frontal subdural hematoma that led to brain death.
- Timeline: the assault occurred on Aug. 3 outside/near the Dorothy Day Center; Wilson was declared neurologically brain-dead and removed from life support on Aug. 7.
- Background: Harris previously faced a 2025 charge of fifth-degree assault and a 2023 domestic assault charge.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Suspect identified as 37-year-old St. Paul man Jerry Jovan Harris.
- Harris is formally charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter in Ramsey County.
- Charging document describes security video showing Harris "lifted his leg, reared back and punched" the victim, with no prior physical altercation.
- Victim is identified as Isaiah Jacob Wilson, consistent with earlier reporting but now explicitly tied to these specific charges and cause of death (acute left frontal subdural hematoma leading to brain death).
- Timeline clarified: assault on Aug. 3 outside/near the Dorothy Day Center; Wilson declared neurologically brain-dead and removed from life support on Aug. 7.
- Background on Harris’ prior cases: previously charged in 2025 with fifth-degree assault and in 2023 with domestic assault.