The new attorney for DeAndre Jones Jr. faces a deadline today to file a brief before State Superior Court, as Jones tries to overturn his murder conviction.
The 33-year-old Baltimore, Maryland man was found guilty last September of second degree murder, robbery, and conspiracy to robbery in the brutal sword-stabbing death of Tyron Howard at Howard’s apartment in Blairsville in 2014.
Jones was one of four defendants in the case. Prosecutors contended that Michael Eades Jr. was the ringleader in Howard’s murder, saying Eades was running a drug distribution operation in Indiana County and felt Howard was cheating him out of the proceeds he felt he should be getting. In his trial, Eades beat a charge of first degree murder and was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. The other two defendants, Stanley Boynton and Kevin King, pleaded guilty to lesser charges in exchange for testifying against Eades.
Jones received the mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole. He filed his appeal before the appellate court in March. Attorney Gary Knaresboro withdrew as Jones’ counsel later that month and Beth Tibbott replaced him. She was granted an extension until today to file her brief.
Assistant D.A. Gina Ryen Force is representing Indiana County in the appeal.
