Harrison Lee Jackson, 48, entered his plea Thursday morning in Culpeper Circuit Court, pursuant to an agreement with the prosecutor’s office.

Jolanda, 47, pleaded guilty to the murder of Marcia Frye on September 5, 2023.

Five charges were dropped after the defendant opened fire on law enforcement officers following a late-night confrontation at the Sparks apartments off Route 299, south of the city. Jackson fired several shots at troopers and deputies after the Virginia State Police tactical team breached the apartment door early on Sept. 6, 2023, according to court documents.

According to state police, law enforcement officers attempted to enter the apartment to help Frye, who called 911 for help when the suspect began shooting at them.

Judge Dale Durrer said in court Thursday that there was no agreement on the prison sentence for murder and that he would decide that. Jackson faces a maximum sentence of life in prison at sentencing on January 22, 2025. Jackson also pleaded guilty to using a firearm during a felony and was sentenced to a mandatory minimum of three to five years in prison.

At least two dozen relatives of the deceased packed the courtroom for a half-hour hearing Thursday morning; many wore Frye buttons on their clothing.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Russ Rabb said the victim’s family was notified of the case and a plea agreement was agreed to. He said they would participate in entering victim impact statements at sentencing.

Defense lawyer Kevin Smith said he agreed with the Commonwealth that the plea agreement was “a good way to approach the matter” by trying to “ease everyone’s suffering as much as possible but still meet the demands of justice.”

Durrer said the agreement was “an entirely appropriate exercise of prosecutorial discretion.”

The day after the shooting, Jackson admitted to police that he shot Frye, according to the criminal complaint. According to court documents, the defendant stated that he “planned to kill a man with whom Frye was allegedly having an affair.”

Jackson appeared in court Thursday with four deputies. The defendant was wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, chained at his hands and feet. When asked about his education and profession, Jackson said that he had completed the 11th grade and was disabled, and that he had previously worked as a painter.

Frye, known as “Londa,” was a single mother and Culpeper native who graduated from Culpeper County High School in 1994. He was the youngest of six siblings and worked as a customer support engineer.