Defendant Is Guilty Because He’s An Accomplice, Prosecutor Says

By Tyler Parkes [former] - April 27, 2022
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

During closing statements on April 27, the prosecution said the defendant was guilty because he was an accomplice to the crime. The defense disputes the rationale.

Blair Jones, 21, is charged with attempted first and second-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, conspiracy to first-degree murder, conspiracy to first and second-degree assault, use of a firearm during a violent crime, conspiracy to use of a firearm during a violent crime, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, having a handgun on his person, wearing/carrying a handgun within 100 yards of the public, reckless endangerment, discharging firearms, illegal possession of ammo, and possession of a firearm with a felony conviction in connection to an incident that occurred on the 1500 block of Russell Street on May 8, 2021, around 3 a.m.

During the prosecution’s closing argument, the prosecutor clearly told the jury that Jones did not shoot the victim; however, he said Jones is guilty of being an accomplice. He said the shooting would not have happened without Jones’ involvement.

The prosecution alleged that after a dispute in a Royal Farms convenience store located in the area, Jones and his friend followed and then shot a man who was 33-year-old at the time of the incident.

While it is agreed that Jones’ friend, Darl Parker, committed the shooting, the prosecution alleges that this was done on Jones’ order. The prosecutor said Jones was originally involved in the dispute and pointed at the victim before Parker chased him.  

The prosecutor referenced video footage gathered from cameras from the Horseshoe Casino and the Royal Farms. Based on this footage, the police were able to identify both Jones and Parker as they both were in the area frequently. 

The prosecutor referenced the victim’s testimony and how it was consistent with what was seen in the video footage despite him never having seen said footage before the trial. According to the prosecutor and the victim, Jones made the victim uncomfortable inside the store and he expected a fight to occur outside. The victim ran away when Parker pulled out a gun. 

Jones’ defense attorney Maureen Rowland focused on the lack of physical evidence in her closing statements. No detective who investigated the case or any crime lab technicians were called to testify. No gun was found and the defendant’s house was not searched by police. There was not a single piece of physical evidence brought forward by the prosecutor. 

Rowland also stated that the video footage is largely inconclusive. She stated that there was not definitively a dispute that took place in or outside of the store that involved her client.

Furthermore, she argued that Jones pointing at the victim before Parker chased him does not necessarily mean that Jones wanted Parker to shoot him. Rowland pointed out how there was too much speculation in this case to prove that Jones was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Rowland was also highly critical of the police investigation in this case, specifically because a photo array was not presented to the victim despite the seriousness of the crime. She also questioned why there was no search of either Jones’ or Parker’s homes. 

Parker accepted a plea deal for 30 years suspending all but 12, with the first five years without parole, for first-degree assault and use of a firearm during a felony violent crime on April 22.