What did Michael Wayne Jones do? The last Marion resident sentenced to death was Michael Shane Bargo in 2019 for the brutal killing of 15-year-old Seath Jackson. Jones allegedly told authorities with the Brantley County Sheriffs Office that he'd concealed the bodies of the children in the woods shortly before the crash. He confessed to the arresting officers that the reason which led to the grizzly murders was rooted in a heated argument between him and his wife when she looked through his phone and accused him of infidelity in July 2019, reports the New York Post. The search for a missing Florida mom and her four children came to a tragic end Monday, when authorities discovered all five bodies. pg.acq.push(function() { Jones, who has been behind bars since his arrest in 2019, was granted credit for the 1,322 days he spent in jail for the life sentence in connection to his wife's death. A jury on Thursday unanimously recommended that Michael Wayne Jones, Trial date set for man accused of killing 4 kids and his wife. eventAction: 'render' He then admitted to the murders committed and led the detectives and investigators through the place where the bodies were dumped and other evidences. "Casei is my baby, she was my last one. Michael Wayne Jones Junior, the man accused of killing his wife and four children in Marion County, has been extradited back from Georgia. Michael Wayne Jones, 38, of Summerfield, Florida, is accused in connection with the death of his wife Casei Jones, 32 and their four children, Cameron Bowers, 10, Preston Bowers, 5, Mercali. Jones' attorney expects to deliver his defense the first week of January, which will include 18 witnesses, seven experts and a team of medical professionals. Planning to turn himself in, he parked outside a police station. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. },false) DOC records show 27.4 years is the average age at the time of the offense for executed inmates, and for execution, the average age is 44.9 years. A second request from jurors was to see if an interpreter could be with them during deliberations. Update: 9/18/2019. Circuit Judge Anthony Tatti will factor the recommendation when he imposes sentence at a later date. }); Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Following his arrest in September 2019, in a news release, the sheriffs office noted that Jones had kept the bodies at home for several weeks before transporting them. [I]n the following weeks, detectives believe he killed the two oldest children by strangulation and his two youngest children by drowning them, the sheriffs office said at the time. Following Fridays nine-minute hearing, Jones attorneys from the public defenders office said they had been preparing their client for this outcome for several weeks and had already filed paperwork with the court to appeal the sentence, the Ocala StarBanner reported. Using a basketball bat, he beat his wife to death and went on to murder her four children, storing their dead bodies in tote bags. Be the first one to comment on this story. Casei Jones and her four children; Cameron Bowers , Preston Bowers, Mercalli Jones, Aiyana Jones were last seen approximately six weeks ago in the local Ocala, FL area. OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - Michael Wayne Jones entered the Marion County courtroom in a suit and tie after pleading guilty to killing to wife and four children. pg.acq.push(function() { Facing a possible death sentence, Michael Wayne Jones has pleaded guilty to killing his wife and their four children. ADVERTISEMENT The state will seek the death penalty for Michael W. Jones Jr. OCALA A grand jury on Monday indicted Michael W. Jones Jr. on a second-degree murder charge for the slaying of his wife, Casei . Deputies arrived at the home in the 14000 block of S.E. eventAction: 'load' Ocala death penalty case:Trial date set for man accused of killing 4 kids and his wife. The January 2023 trial took place a month after Jones pleaded guilty to the murders. Both of their bodies were put in a single tote bag. Find out with our fun quiz! However, he dropped the plan and decided to drown the girls in a bathtub. }) She also described their two sisters as princesses., 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, NFL linebackers 2-year-old daughter drowns in pool, Severe thunderstorms, tornadoes possible along East Coast, including I-95 corridor, on Sunday, Golfers get chippy over foursomes slow pace of play, throwing wild kicks and punches on Florida course, Tornado flips cars as it touches down in South Florida. Michael Wayne Jones Jr. has been sentenced to death, Casei Jones was killed with a metal baseball bat, Horrified jury in Lori Vallow's murder trial shown pictures of victim covered in blood, Rise and fall of Steven Crowder - YouTube success and messy feud with wife Hilary, Doctor explains two distinctive symptoms of highly transmissible Arcturus Covid variant, Family inconsolable as they discover mum and daughters, 8 and 10, dead in New York fire, Inside abandoned Tennessee castle with dark past and links to millionaire Prince Mongo. Jones was initially detained on Sept. 15 in Georgia after the vehicle he was driving crashed into another car. Following Fridays nine-minute hearing, attorneys representing Jones said they had already filed paperwork with the court to appeal the sentence. Scheming to make it appear that she was still alive, he used her cell phone to post items to her social media accounts, according to the Ocala Star Banner. [I]n the following weeks, detectives believe he killed the two oldest children by strangulation and his two youngest children by drowning them, the sheriffs office wrote in a news release following the arrest. He was sentenced to life. The sentencing comes in the wake of a jury unanimously recommending that Michael Wayne Jones be put to death in January 2023. Her husband is 38-year-old Michael Wayne Jones. Michael Wayne Jones Jr. (News4Jax screenshot) A state judge in Florida has sentenced a 41-year-old man to death for beating his wife to death with a metal baseball bat, then strangling his 9-year-old and 4-year-old stepsons to death and drowning his 2-year-old and 11-month-old biological daughters. As a father, as a parent, it breaks my heart. . He then put the childs body in a suitcase. A dad has been sentenced to death for beating his wife to death with a metal baseball bat before strangling his two stepsons and drowning his two biological daughters. Something went wrong, please try again later. Get email updates with the day's biggest stories. Two defendants still await sentencing. Now 30, Bargo is the second youngest person on death row, the state's website indicate. Jones allegedly told authorities with the Brantley County Sheriffs Office that he'd concealed the bodies of the children in the woods shortly before the crash, WJAX-TV reports. Detectives identified Jones' husband, Michael Wayne Jones Jr., 38, as a suspect. } Tatti sentenced Jones to death for each of the four childrens murders. Michael Jones has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with his wifes death. Michael Anthony Morrison (November 23, 1934 - April 2, 2003), better known by his stage name Michael Wayne, was an American film producer and actor. The defense lawyer said Jones, whose court appearances have been few and far between since his 2019 incarceration,is also takingmedication while at the Marion County Jail. His fate will be decidedby the jury based on the findings of the horrifying slayings. Officials said that the children were strangled and drowned on different dates. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Have a tip or story idea? Copyright 2023 WCJB. Michael Wayne Jones Jr. has been now been charged with one count of Second-degree Premedated in the deaths of his wife Casei Jones. The judge will then set a date for a sentencing hearing. An interrogation video of the Marion County man accused of killing his wife and four kids, 38-year-old Michael Wayne Jones Jr., shed new light onto possible motives in which he explained his . Casei Jones and her four children; Cameron Bowers , Preston Bowers, Mercalli Jones, Aiyana Jones were last seen approximately six weeks ago in the local Ocala, FL area. Facing a possibledeath sentence, Michael Wayne Joneshas pleaded guilty to killing his wife and their four children. Due to the First Step Act, sentences are being reviewed and recalculated to address pending Federal Time Credit changes. All rights reserved. Michael Wayne Jones Jr. is being charged with four counts of First Degree Premeditated Homicide in the deaths of his four children and step-children. Michael Wayne Jones Jr. admitted to killing his wife with a metal baseball bat before stangling his step sons and drowning his two biological daughters in Marion County, Florida. A judge informed Michael Wayne Jones Jr. of the penalty he faces Tuesday after a grand jury returned an indictment charging him with murdering his wife and her four children. He took them to where he left the children's remains. Additional charges maybe possible. eventAction: 'click_ads' He later confessed to killing the children and led detectives to where he hid the remains. According to court documents, deputies with the Marion County Sheriffs Office responded to a welfare check on Casei and the children requested by Caseis mother, Nikki Jones, on Sept. 14, 2019. But it wasnt until Michael Jones was involved in a traffic accident that authorities were able to locate him and find the missing bodies. Sure, Fabian replied. Casei Jones and the children were reported missing Saturday night after her family became concerned after not seeing them for six weeks. The judge denied that request, citing legal precedent. } reporters on a platform technologically tailored to meet the needs of the modern reader. The lawyers for the defense and the prosecution had numerous people, including experts, testify at the trial. He then began devising plans by dropping the boys, his two stepchildren Preston and Cameron at their father's place and dropping his two daughters Mercalli Jones and Aiyana Jones, two children he shared with his wife Casei at her mother's home. On Friday, April 28, 2023, Marion County Circuit Judge Anthony Tatti sentenced Michael Wayne Jones to death for the murder of his four children and life without the possibility of parole for the death of his wife. Jones strangled Duve and left her body in the tru. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotOnload', function(event) { Authorities suspect that the victims were killed at least two months before their bodies were found in September. } His interest in film production began when he served as a production assistant during the filming . In Florida, defendants convicted of first-degree murder can be put to death if the jury unanimously recommends such an outcome, while the maximum penalty for second-degree murder is life in prison. The remains were in a wooded area, officials said, stuffed inside a suitcase and sealed totes. Guilty plea:Summerfield man pleads guilty to killing wife, 4 children, may face death penalty. Have a tip we should know? On Wednesday, they listened to closing arguments given by both sides. Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said police questioned Jones after Casei's body was found. He struggles interpersonally being bullied and picked on and not well-liked.. 172.104.206.157 The jury trial continues next week with more defense witnesses. Marion County Sheriff's Office, Detectives believe he stored the bodies at his home and in his van for several weeks before transporting them to Brantley County, Georgia, the Marion County Sheriffs Office said in, "You may want to put me in handcuffs because there was a dead body (inside the vehicle)" he allegedly told deputies, according to, The sheriffs office confirmed the body of his 32-year-old wife Casei Jones was found inside. He told law enforcement officialsthat his wifes body was inside the vehicle he was driving. hitType: 'event', A sister of Casei Jones testified at the trial last week, tearfully telling the court that her nephew Cameron was a sweet, loving little guy, according to the outlet. ga('ads.send', { Her husband Michael Wayne Jones Jr. is now in custody for their deaths. When police arrived he admitted killing his wife and told them the body was in the vehicle he was driving. He performed the bungee jump in the opening scenes in the James Bond film GoldenEye.The opening 220 m bungee jump, shot at the Verzasca Dam in Switzerland, was voted the best movie stunt of all time as of 2002 and set a record for the highest bungee jump off a fixed structure. I dont know, just everything mounted up and it seemed like the way out, Jones told the investigators when asked about his motive behind the murders, according to Martin County Sheriffs Office documents. A day later, Jones was arrested in Brantley County, Georgia, after he was involved in a crash. If the jury gives jones the death penalty the decision must be unanimous. At the time, he told law enforcement that his wife's body was inside the vehicle and later confessed to killing their four children before leading them to the site where he had left the bodies. Michael Wayne Jones, 41, from Florida pleaded guilty to killing his 32-year-old wife Casei Jones, and her four children 10-year-old Cameron Bowers, five-year-old Preston Bowers, two-year-old Mercalli Jones, and one-year-old Aiyana Jones in 2019. Contact Austin L. Miller ataustin.miller@starbanner.com. Jones has been detained at the Marion County Jail since he was extradited to Florida from Georgia. He was then drowned in a bathtub and his body was also put in a suitcase.Jones drove with his two young daughters a few days later after the first three heinous killings. But with the school year fast approaching, Jones grew concerned that the boys absence would spark questions from staffers at Fruitland Park Elementary. eventAction: 'view' Advertisement Michael W. Jones Jr., 38, was arrested after a traffic stop in Georgia. Shortly after the killings, Jones was charged with first-degree murder for each of the children and second-degree murder for his wife's death. media-tech companies with hubs around the world. Jones was arrested in Brantley County, Georgia, in September 2019 aftera single-vehicle crash. He was picking up their kids from school and hanging out with the kids? Questions flew while Jones walked from the sheriff's office to the cruiser which took him to jail, but he remained silent and barely looked up. He later confessed to killing the children and led detectives to the locations where he discarded their bodies, police said. Rather than dealing with them then he kept them in the van for two weeks before taking them to Brantley County, Georgia. Which member of the royal family are you? By Staff Report. Michael Wayne Jones: Ocala death penalty case: Trial date set for man accused of killing 4 kids and his wife, Death no more: Off death row: Parties agree to life in prison instead of retrial in Ocala murder case, Over: Ocala courts: Six felony cases resolved. His defense attorneys called neuropsychologist Dr. John Fabian to discuss Jones mental illnesses. window.googletag.cmd.push(function() { :Will Ocala jurors recommend the death penalty for family killer Michael Wayne Jones? Attempting to cover up her missing, Jones tried to make it appear that she was active and alive by posting on her social media using her phone. An interpreter was found and the documents were sent for certification. He recounted to police that she poked him with a baseball bat during an escalating argument in their Marion County home, and that he beat her to death with it in a rage. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Find an inmate. The suspect was arrested after he crashed his car. The nine men and three women announced the recommendation just shy of five hours after they started discussing the case. The 41-year-old Summerfield man was charged with first-degree murder for each of the children, while given a second-degree charge for his wife,Casei Jones. Michael Jones was taken into custody after he had a traffic accident in Brantley County, Georgia and allegedly warned authorities they might make a gruesome discovery in the vehicle. Just over three months after a jury of nine men and three women recommended the death penalty for Michael Wayne Jones Jr., Marion County Circuit Court Judge Anthony Tatti on Friday formally ordered that Jones be executed by the state, court records reviewed by Law&Crime show. MEAWW brings you the best content from its global team of We've received your submission. }); he told detectives. Jerry Lambe is a journalist at Law&Crime. "All we need to know is thats evil, and evil did something, and evil needs to pay for what he did.". He led them to the remains of the four children Aiyana, one; Mercalli Jones, two; Preston, five; and Cameron Bowers, 10, near Brantley County in Georgia. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Undergoing his court trials, Michael Wane Jones has already admitted to killing his wife and the children. She said he was acting out the norm? We are one of the worlds fastest growing Jones, 38,. Photo: He returned to the Marion County Jail, where he has been since he was arrested in Georgia and returned here for trial. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. A jury on Thursday unanimously recommended that Michael Wayne Jones, the man who admitted killing his wife and four children in 2019, should be sentenced to death. As a sheriff it angers me," Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods told reporters on Monday. Jones, of Summerfield, was escorted by a bailiff out of the courtroom. Ms Jones said she had not heard from her daughter or the grandchildren in weeks and was concerned that Michael Jones had done something to them.. At that time, he will disclose if he will accept the jury's recommendation of death, or the defense plea for life in prison without parole. Update 10/8/19 Michael Wayne Jones Jr., who is accused of killing his wife, . Detectives have not yet positively identified the remains, but they believe they are those of the missing children. She told the jury that Jones "sentenced those children to death," and the same should happen to him. As of Thursday,302people were on the state's death row, according to the Department of Corrections website. As a sheriff, it angers me, Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said in a press conference Monday afternoon. Stephanie Baer is a reporter with BuzzFeed News and is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Spivey told a Star-Banner reporter: "We gave it our best shot.". The judge also sentenced Jones to life in prison without the possibility of parole for murdering Casei. Relatives of Casei Jones reported her and her four children missing Saturday after they hadn't been seen or heard from in six weeks. He also murdered his wife Casei Jones.. Michael Wayne Jones Jr., 38, is facing a charge of second-degree homicide for the death of his wife, 32-year-old Casei Jones, who was reported missing along with the four children Saturday night after family members said they had not been seen for six weeks. With a Spanish speaking juror on the panel, the judge wanted to find out from the foreman and the juror if there were any communication problems. With the plea, prosecutors saidinstead of having a trial, the next step isthe penalty phase where a jury of 12 peoplewould determine whether Jones spends the rest of his life behind bars or is put to death. Prosecutors said they appreciate the jury's effort, attention and devotion to the case, especially over the Christmas holidays. Your IP: Berndt said what Jones did to the children were cold, calculated and premediated. "All we need to know is thats evil, and evil did something, and evil needs to pay for what he did," the local sheriff said. The older twowere his wifes sons from another relationship, authorities said. He told law enforcement officials that his wife's remains were in the vehicle. Now that the guilt and penalty portions of the trial are concluded, the final step will be what's known as a Spencer hearing, where the defense has one more crack at persuading the judge to impose life in prison instead of the death penalty. If the jury decides to give Jones the death penalty,the decision must be unanimous. Jones wrapped his wifes body in blankets, placed it in a large tote bag and put in a closet. Michael Wayne was the eldest son of John Wayne and his first wife, Josephine Alicia Saenz, the daughter from a socially prominent Latina family living in Los Angeles. Biography. Correct, Fabian replied. As of Wednesday,302people only three of whom arewomen are currently on the state's death row, according to the Department of Corrections website. The defense begins its turn with John Spivey, a lawyer for the Public Defenders Office . Will Ocala jurors recommend the death penalty for family killer Michael Wayne Jones? Contact Stephanie K. Baer at stephanie.baer@buzzfeed.com. Detectives identified Jones' husband, Michael Wayne Jones Jr., 38, as a suspect. }); if(document.querySelector("#ads")){ Concerned that the absence of the boys may drive suspicion as the Fruitland Park Elementary staffers may ask questions about them. As per Law & Crime, during questioning, Jones confessed to the crimes, adding that he killed his wife with a metal baseball bat. Her husband Michael Wayne Jones Jr. is now in custody for their deaths. Nikki reportedly told the deputy that she suspected Jones had harmed the family. She lived with her children Cameron Bowers, 10; Preston . He later led detectives to the remains of the four missing childrenCameron, "All we need to know is thats evil, and evil did something, and evil needs to pay for what he did, he said, according to. A state judge in Florida has sentenced a 41-year-old man to death for beating his wife to death with a metal baseball bat, then strangling his 9-year-old and 4-year-old stepsons to death and drowning his 2-year-old and 11-month-old biological daughters. The possible remains of . Sitting with his wife and family, Bowers, holding his hands together, cried when the clerk announced the jury's recommendation. Jones was sentenced to death for each of the four children's murders. }); He was arrested and charged with her death. The sheriffs office confirmed the body of his 32-year-old wife Casei Jones was found inside. Marion County Sgt. on the first try, was in the Navy, and also had stable jobs, and believe he has no mental illness. But he eventually backed out of the plan, instead opting to drown both tots in a bathtub and putting both of their bodies into a single tote bag. They went to the house and she's gone. RELATED: Prosecution rests in death penalty case against Marion County man who killed wife, four children. Spivey, Jones' attorney,told the Star-Banner that Jonesmadethe plea because he wants to takeresponsibility for his actions. On Sunday, Michael Jones crashed his van near Brantley County in southeast Georgia, about 150 miles. He knew he could face the death penalty for those charges. So you agree that that information could be very helpful in what his mental state was and what he was thinking? Jones was arrested on September 15, 2019, after a deputy officer detected the stench of a decaying body when he arrived at a scene where Jones was involved in a single-car accident. By 2:12 p.m., the judge was informed the jury had reached a verdict. The house is empty. Detectives believe the victims werekilledbetween July 10and the end of August 2019. You never spoke with him about the facts or circumstances of the murders correct? Defense attorney point to Jones deeply dysfunctional upbringing as grounds for the lesser punishment, while prosecutors are pushing for his execution. Appearing with his attorney,John Spivey, an executive assistant public defender,Jones entered his plea tofive counts of murder in front of Circuit Judge Anthony Tatti. The next day, Jones said, he choked Preston with a zip tie before drowning him in a bathtub and then putting his corpse into a suitcase. Jones was ultimately arrested on September 15, 2019 after he was involved in a single-car accident and a deputy responded to the scene.
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