Stacey Jackson, the mother of Jerry Brown, is took the stand Tuesday in the ongoing civil trial between her and a defunct Dallas nightclub called "Beamers".
Brown, who was on the Dallas Cowboys practice squad, was killed in 2012 after a night out at Beamers with his best friend and then-teammate Josh Brent.
The two left the bar in the early morning hours and got into Brent's car. Brent rolled the Mercedes in Irving on their way home.
Brent's BAC that night was .189 -- more than two times the legal limit.
Jackson is suing Beamers and its management company for unspecified damages, accusing the staff of overserving Brent.
Under a Texas law, known commonly as the "Dram Shop Act", a business that sells and/or serves alcohol can be liable for any damages or injuries that occur if it's proven they provided alcohol to an "obviously intoxicated" person.
The club's owner and staff insist they did not see any obvious signs that Brent was intoxicated when they served him that night.
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"He didn't even have a drink in his hand, said Aya Matsuda. "He looked 100% sober."
Matsuda was at the club that night and told jurors she didn't feel that Brent appeared intoxicated.
Lawyers for the plaintiffs challenged Matsuda, saying Brent could be seen drinking straight from bottles of alcohol while at the club.
Stacey Jackson took the stand late Tuesday afternoon and described her son as humble and gentle.
Through tears, she described the moment she learned her son was killed after answering a phone call at work.
"I just dropped the phone because I knew this man was lying, I knew my son wasn’t dead. But he wasn’t lying," said Jackson.
"I’ve never had to do something this hard in my life," said Jackson. "We prepare our children to bury us, not us bury our children."
Attorneys for Beamers maintain the only ones liable for Brown's death are Brent and Brown.
Brent testified Monday. He is also listed as a defendant in the case. On Monday, he told the jury Jackson has forgiven him and they remain close.
Tuesday, Jackson said she still considers Brent responsible for her son's death but chose forgiveness because Brent came to her and asked for it.
"I can't be bitter and spiteful because it's not going to bring my son back," said Jackson.
Brent's criminal trial took place back in 2014. A jury convicted him of intoxication manslaughter. He's currently serving a 10-year probation sentence.
Attorneys in the civil trial indicated they could make closing arguments and put the case in the hands of the jury as early as Wednesday.
