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Daniel Jones, far right, contemplates his second-degree murder conviction in the 2001 stabbing death of his brother, Steven. Behind him, his grieving mother is consoled by family. Photo by JOHN LOCHER/ REVIEW-JOURNAL

Thursday, August 08, 2002
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

VERDICT REACHED: Jury finds man guilty

Daniel Jones had rejected plea agreement in brother's slaying

A previous decision by Daniel Jones to reject a manslaughter plea agreement in the stabbing of his brother backfired Wednesday when a jury convicted him of second-degree murder.

According to authorities, Jones, 23, rejected a plea agreement last year that called for a sentence of 7 to 15 years.

With his conviction Wednesday on a charge of second-degree murder with use of a deadly weapon, he now faces a minimum of 20 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life behind bars.

"Clearly the state feels justice was done," said Clark County Deputy District Attorney Bernie Zadrowski. "This was the verdict we wanted and what we had asked the jury to return."

Jones' attorney, Frank Kocka, said he was surprised at the conviction.

"This has been a tragic situation all the way around," Kocka said. "His mother lost one son and now she's lost another."

Jones showed only a small amount of emotion as the verdict was read, bearing a disappointed look on his face. Behind him, his mother was overcome with grief.

According to testimony, Jones and his 20-year-old brother, Steven, were engaged in a heated argument at Daniel Jones' Las Vegas condominium in April 2001. The argument started when Steven Jones refused to give Daniel Jones a ride to cash his paycheck.

Witnesses testified that as the argument escalated, Steven Jones started to approach his brother as if he were on the verge of assaulting him. Daniel Jones then picked up a knife in the kitchen.

Steven Jones' girlfriend testified that she saw Daniel Jones stab Steven Jones in the chest. Minutes later, police found Steven Jones' body outside of the condominium. He died from a stab wound to the heart.

Daniel Jones testified the stabbing was an accident. He said he stumbled over an open dishwasher door, causing the fatal wound during a struggle with his brother.

The jury deliberated for a total of about eight hours before convicting Jones of second-degree murder with use of a deadly weapon.

Outside of court, Zadrowski and fellow prosecutor Marc DiGiacomo confirmed that a little more than a month after the killing, Daniel Jones entered into a plea agreement in which he pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter with use of a deadly weapon. A stipulated sentence in the deal called for 7 to 15 years.

Kocka -- who did not represent Jones at the time -- said Jones later reconsidered because he believed the terms of the deal were too harsh.

Jones will be sentenced by District Judge John McGroarty on Oct. 3. He faces a sentence of either 20 to 50 years in prison or 20 years to life.