The man accused of the 2022 killing of 8-year-old Sophia Mason has walked free after pleading guilty to a lesser charge in Merced Superior Court on Monday. Dhante Jackson, 37, had been charged with murder and child abuse in Sophia’s death. Also charged is the child’s mother, Samantha Johnson, 33. The case made national headlines … Continue reading Murder charge dropped against man accused of killing Sophia Mason, 8. The case drew nationwide outrage