Jonathan Dye Jones was convicted in April. His mother insists: "He didn't shoot that man."
By CHASE SQUIRES
Published May 30, 2003
DADE CITY - The saga of Jonathan Dye Jones - once acquitted of murder, and once convicted - reached a close Thursday.
Circuit Judge Wayne Cobb sentenced Jones to life in prison for the shooting death of Florentino Cano, a 47-year-old orange grove worker gunned down in a botched robbery scheme involving Jones and two crack-addicted prostitutes.
Jones, whose legal troubles have crossed newspaper pages for a decade, gave his mother a thumbs-up sign Thursday, then shuffled from the courtroom in a jail-issue jumpsuit, ankle shackles, handcuffs and a thick chain around his waist.
Jones, 37, was convicted of second-degree murder in April for killing Cano on Jan. 6, 2001. Witnesses testified Jones and two prostitutes were desperate for money to buy more crack cocaine while on a binge.
Prosector Phil Van Allen on Thursday told the judge that Cano's death was the result of Jones' incessant, greedy quest for more dope, sold on the street in doses known as "rocks."
"This is the epitome of self-indulgent, egotistical disregard for everyone," Van Allen said. "This whole thing started because Jones wanted a rock . . . . That's how this whole thing started: drugs, drugs and more drugs."
After Cobb sentenced Jones to life, Jones pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine found on him when he was arrested on the murder warrant. He was sentenced to 13 months in prison, to be served concurrent with his murder sentence.
When Cobb asked why he wanted to plead guilty on the drug charges, Jones was pragmatic.
"You just gave me a life sentence," he said. "There's no reason to fight it."
Jones' appointed attorney, Sam Williams, asked the judge to stick to a 20-year sentence recommended by state guidelines, arguing there was no intent to murder. Jones was high on drugs and had no intention of shooting anyone, Williams said.
Jones' mother, Betty, was in court for Thursday's sentencing. She said she and her son were steeled for the possibility of a life sentence.
She said she hasn't given up on her son's chances and will never believe he had anything to do with Cano's killing. She said an appeal is coming.
"He didn't shoot that man," she said. "I have faith in the 2nd District Court of Appeal."
Also in court was Gigi Murphy.
Murphy's daughter, 36-year-old Kathryn Murphy, was Jones' ex-girlfriend, found killed in 1993.
Jones was charged with the killing, but was acquitted at trial in 1994.
Jones later sued the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, claiming false arrest. A jury rejected that claim.
Gigi Murphy has followed Jones' latest trial throughout. After sentencing, she gathered with friends outside the courtroom. There was some weeping and some hugs.
"He has absolutely no feelings of any kind," Murphy said of Jones. "He's a cold, cold person."
