Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 5, 1992 TAG: 9203050246
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LAURENCE HAMMACK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Josephine R. Jones, 26, was arrested Oct. 6 and charged with killing Keith Jones at an apartment on Westside Boulevard Northwest.
The trial continues today in Roanoke Circuit Court.
"Keith Jones was shot in the back at close range over a VCR, and that is the bottom line; that is why we are here," Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Ann Hill said in opening arguments to the jury.
But Richard Lawrence, a Roanoke lawyer who represents Josephine Jones, told the jury it will hear a far different story - that of a violent and cheating husband who went to his estranged wife's apartment despite a restraining order.
"She had tried to make the marriage work, but the problems continued," Lawrence said.
Although he did not spell out a specific defense to the jury, Lawrence promised that Jones will testify about what happened as she and her husband struggled over a VCR he wanted to take from the home.
"As a result of what had happened before, she'll tell you in her own words what happened that evening in regards to the gunshot," he said.
Ron Bratton, a friend of Keith Jones', testified that they went to the apartment to pick up a coat for Jones' 7-year-old son. Keith Jones had asked for a police escort, but was told that Roanoke authorities could not provide such a service.
Bratton told the jury that after Keith Jones went into the apartment and closed the door, he could hear yelling and screaming. Bratton then called for help, only to return and find Keith Jones lying in a stairwell outside the apartment.
As he tried to care for the dying man, Josephine Jones "cradled his head in her arms and said that she killed him," Bratton said.
That testimony prompted an outburst from Jones. "Why are you lying to them?" she asked before bursting into tears.
Keywords:
ROMUR
by CNB