Ryan Espinoza
JMC 301
September 23, 2010
Jones Court Story
JMC 301
September 23, 2010
Jones Court Story
The
first court session of a woman charged with first degree murder and child abuse
with the death of her baby began Monday at the Maricopa Superior Court.
Shawnte Jones is charged with first degree murder and two counts of child abuse when her baby girl was discovered dead in her Mesa apartment, Tradewinds, on Broadway and Dobson six years ago on February 2004. The first court session of a six week trial began on Monday morning.
Lead Detective Donald Vogel, retired from the Mesa Police Department, listed the injuries that the doctors took note of when the baby was taken to the hospital. The injuries included a laceration over the left eye, a red mark above the right eye, widening of the rib cage, a red mark on the right knee, and a green mark on the right side of the baby’s back. Head trauma was also included in the list of injuries.
Vogel was alerted to the situation on a Sunday afternoon while at home. He said that Jones was four months pregnant at the time. Vogel reported that Shawnte was with baby “24/7” for the two weeks prior to its death.
At the time of investigating the apartment nothing was determined. The detectives went in not looking for anything specifically such as a murder weapon.
Sergeant Casillas of the Mesa Police Department was brought to testify as a witness. Casillas investigated the apartment of Jones the day the baby was discovered. Casillas said that the door to the apartment was open.
The prosecutors showed Casillas pictures that were taken of the apartment where the baby was found. Casillas noted red stains on the carpet leading to the baby’s room but Casillas later stated that the red stains were not blood but rather a powdery substance perhaps from make-up.
Casillas also noted that, along with no blood, no drugs or weapons were found. The freezer and fridge was filled with food. Casillas also said that while the kitchen and living room were clean, the master and childrens’ bedroom were cluttered with clothes, leftover food and wrappers. He said when he entered the apartment that area smelled unclean with soiled diapers and food.
Found on the floor of the apartment was a book titled “For a Healthy Baby” which Casillas said it “depicts a child being cared for.”
From the scene, partially filled bottles of Enfamil, a mop, and pieces of carpet were seized as evidence.
The case is estimated to last six weeks which would be enough time to gather witnesses out of state. According to Defense Attorney G. David DeLozier, there will be 25 witnesses who are mostly family and a few experts.
Vogel has taught seminars and trained other police officers. His interviewing of witnesses and suspects has been reviewed by the State Supreme Court. He has his own interview style in which he creates a comfortable atmosphere that compels those interviewed to tell the truth. Vogel reflects the principle of knowing both what and why a crime occurred.
Shawnte Jones is charged with first degree murder and two counts of child abuse when her baby girl was discovered dead in her Mesa apartment, Tradewinds, on Broadway and Dobson six years ago on February 2004. The first court session of a six week trial began on Monday morning.
Lead Detective Donald Vogel, retired from the Mesa Police Department, listed the injuries that the doctors took note of when the baby was taken to the hospital. The injuries included a laceration over the left eye, a red mark above the right eye, widening of the rib cage, a red mark on the right knee, and a green mark on the right side of the baby’s back. Head trauma was also included in the list of injuries.
Vogel was alerted to the situation on a Sunday afternoon while at home. He said that Jones was four months pregnant at the time. Vogel reported that Shawnte was with baby “24/7” for the two weeks prior to its death.
At the time of investigating the apartment nothing was determined. The detectives went in not looking for anything specifically such as a murder weapon.
Sergeant Casillas of the Mesa Police Department was brought to testify as a witness. Casillas investigated the apartment of Jones the day the baby was discovered. Casillas said that the door to the apartment was open.
The prosecutors showed Casillas pictures that were taken of the apartment where the baby was found. Casillas noted red stains on the carpet leading to the baby’s room but Casillas later stated that the red stains were not blood but rather a powdery substance perhaps from make-up.
Casillas also noted that, along with no blood, no drugs or weapons were found. The freezer and fridge was filled with food. Casillas also said that while the kitchen and living room were clean, the master and childrens’ bedroom were cluttered with clothes, leftover food and wrappers. He said when he entered the apartment that area smelled unclean with soiled diapers and food.
Found on the floor of the apartment was a book titled “For a Healthy Baby” which Casillas said it “depicts a child being cared for.”
From the scene, partially filled bottles of Enfamil, a mop, and pieces of carpet were seized as evidence.
The case is estimated to last six weeks which would be enough time to gather witnesses out of state. According to Defense Attorney G. David DeLozier, there will be 25 witnesses who are mostly family and a few experts.
Vogel has taught seminars and trained other police officers. His interviewing of witnesses and suspects has been reviewed by the State Supreme Court. He has his own interview style in which he creates a comfortable atmosphere that compels those interviewed to tell the truth. Vogel reflects the principle of knowing both what and why a crime occurred.
Mesa
Police Sergeant Steve Casillas
Lead
Detective Donald Vogel
Defense
Attorney G. David DeLozier
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