State v. Jones
CHARGE: Aggravated murder with gun specification (pre-meditated killing)
POTENTIAL PENALTY: Life in prison
VENUE: Hamilton County, Cincinnati, Ohio
ALLEGATION: Defendant retrieved a gun from his house, tracked down a man he had previously fought, marched through a large group of people assembled at a peace rally and shot victim to death in front of hundreds of people.
DISPOSITION: Trial by jury.
RESULT: Mistrial/hung jury. Mr. Bennett argued that at the time of the shooting Mr. Jones was in a state of rage caused by the earlier altercation. After two days of deliberation the jury was unable to decide what crime, if any, Mr. Jones committed. Mr. Jones was represented by other counsel during his second trial. He was convicted of aggravated murder and sentenced to life in prison. (The result of Mr. Jone's trial when represented by other counsel is included to demonstrate that the talent, skill and commitment of the attorney often determines the outcome of the case.)
ARTICLES
Defense lawyer sees bias in murder case (Cincinnati Enquirer Metro)
West End slaying case ends in mistrial (Cincinnati Enquirer)
