Columbia Defendant Denied Bail for Allegedly Shooting Through Ex’s Front Door

By Andrew Michaels - September 1, 2023
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Kendra Y. Ausby cited an attempted homicide defendant’s criminal history was among the reasons for denying his bail on Sept. 1 for allegedly shooting through his ex-girlfriend’s front door last month.

Mario Emmanuel Jones is accused of arguing with his ex-girlfriend on July 10 when he allegedly fired one gunshot through the front door of her home. He is currently charged with attempted first and second-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, firearm use in a felony or violent crime, having a handgun on his person, having a loaded handgun on his person and firing a gun in Baltimore City.

Jones, 32, was initially scheduled for a bail review on Aug. 18, but his defense counsel was unavailable and requested a postponement.

On Friday morning, defense attorney Rodney Gray argued for Jones’ release on home detention, claiming the alleged victim wrote a letter about what occurred with details that differed from what she originally told Baltimore Police Department officers. The letter states that she was not fearful of the defendant and the couple wanted to remain together.

“The information that I have from the alleged victim was that there was an alleged shooting through the door,” Gray said. “She wasn’t at the door or near the door when this happened.”

Defense counsel acknowledged there was an argument and that 911 was called before the gunshot was fired. At the time of the incident, Gray explained, the victim indicated that the shooter may have been Jones, but has since said, “Maybe I gave the incorrect information.”

The victim is currently in New York.

An assistant state’s attorney standing in for the prosecutor assigned to the case argued that the incident can be heard on the 911 call.

“You can hear a male talking in the background,” he said. “…You can hear banging sounds, like banging on the door.”

The victim, who made the 911 call, was heard saying, “Please, you’re scaring me,” and, “Please stop. Why are you doing this?” She also named the defendant in the phone call.

The prosector detailed Jones’ prior convictions, including theft from 2011, fourth-degree burglary from 2012 as well as drug possession and first and second-degree assault convictions from 2014. Jones also had additional cases placed on the court’s stet docket, including a robbery from 2013 and first and second-degree assault from 2021.

“Reviewing the defendant’s record, it’s all eerily similarly,” Judge Ausby said, after which she ruled the defendant would remain without bail.