Written By JR Robinson

A Shelby County jury has found Roy Ezell Jones guilty of second-degree murder in the 2022 shooting death of his wife, Juanita Jones, following a closely watched three-day trial prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Alyssa Hennig and Monica Timmerman.

The deadly incident occurred in January 2022 on Burnham Avenue, where police responded to a domestic violence call and found 49-year-old Juanita Jones unresponsive after a gunshot rang out. Authorities say a child, present in another room, heard the shot—soon after, Roy Ezell Jones confessed to the child, stating, “I did a bad thing,” before fleeing the scene. He remained on the run for nearly a week before turning himself in to law enforcement.

During the trial, prosecutors presented testimony from several witnesses, with the child’s account proving pivotal. The evidence detailed how the argument escalated into violence, resulting in Juanita’s fatal shooting. Roy Ezell Jones, now in his 50s, was found guilty on one count of second-degree murder after the jury’s deliberation.

The victim’s family expressed relief and gratitude at the verdict, which they hope brings some measure of justice and closure. Sentencing for Jones will be scheduled at a later date.

A spokesperson for the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office praised both the witnesses’ courage and the dedication of the prosecution team:

“We thank the jury for their careful consideration of the evidence. The courage of the witnesses and the dedication of our prosecutors have reinforced our commitment to justice and public safety.”

This conviction is part of ongoing efforts by Shelby County prosecutors to address domestic violence and ensure accountability in cases of intimate partner homicide.