Fourth Department – Murder: People v. Jones

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New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Judicial Department

Murder — Sufficiency of evidence

People v. Jones

KA 22-00780

Appealed from Supreme Court, Monroe County

Background: The defendant appealed from her conviction of murder, kidnapping, and robbery arguing that the evidence was not legally sufficient to establish her guilt as a principal or an accessory.

Ruling: The Appellate Division affirmed. The court noted that surveillance footage and testimony established that the defendant had been with the codefendant in the lobby of a bank two days before the victim’s disappearance and was walking in tandem with the codefendant along streets in the early morning hours on the day of the victim’s disappearance. Surveillance footage depicted her entering the victim’s vehicle while the codefendant was nearby. Footage showed the codefendant at an ATM making a withdrawal from the victim’s account, which was located close to where the victim’s body was eventually found, driving the victim’s vehicle and appearing to speak with someone in the backseat. Further footage showed the defendant and codefendant exiting the victim’s vehicle and entering a gas station. Two days later, the vehicle was located in Florida after being set on fire and the defendant and codefendant appeared at a Florida pawn shop where they sold a gold chain and pendant the victim had been wearing before his disappearance. The Appellate Division noted that cell-site data established that the two traveled together during the relevant time frame and consistent with the movements of the victim’s vehicle.

Kathleen P. Reardon, of the conflict defender’s office, for the defendant-appellant; Grazina Harper, of the district attorney’s office, for the respondent.

Oral argument video