Attempted to Murder Estranged Wife in Front of 12-year old Daughter
PHOENIX, AZ (August 26, 2011) - Robert T. Jones, (DOB: 11/13/1973) tried to shoot the victim in the head 3-times while telling the 12-year old daughter “this is what your mom gets”…but the gun never fired.
The defendant and victim had been separated for a month when the defendant lured the victim to his house on March 10, 2009 promising she could retrieve her belongings. The defendant promised the victim he wouldn’t hurt her if she brought her daughter with her to pick up her belongings. Once inside the house the victim went to the master bedroom closet while the 12-year old daughter colored a book in the dining room. The defendant followed the victim into the closet where he pulled out a gun, put it to her head and pulled the trigger. The gun didn’t discharge. He then pulled the victim around by her hair and beat her on the head with the gun. Jones than forced her to her knees in the living room and placed the gun directly to the victims head and pulled the trigger a few more times. The victim’s 12-year old daughter was on the phone with 911 when the defendant fled the scene. He sold the gun for $100.00. Jones was apprehended 2 days later by Phoenix Police.
“This defendant would have been a cold blooded killer if the gun had successfully been discharged into the victims head,” said Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery. “This is a domestic violence case at its worst with a violent defendant. The sentence is appropriate and should keep the defendant out of society for the rest of his life.”
He was convicted at trial of Attempted 1st Degree Murder, 2 counts of Aggravated Assault and Misconduct Involving Weapons. The defendant admitted to 5-prior felony convictions. The jury found two aggravating factors for each count except the misconduct involving weapons.
Judge Hoffman sentenced Jones to 50-years in the Department of Corrections, 45-years to be served flat or day for day.
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