The Story of Antonio D. Jones.

In 2004, and after a retrial in 2011, I, Antonio D. Jones, was wrongfully convicted of four (4) counts of “Murder in the Perpetration of Robbery.” Moreover, I was sentenced to serve 240 years in prison.

I was framed based solely upon the false testimony of L.A.; wherein, numerous items of physical evidence contradict his testimony, including two (2) alibi witnesses attesting to my whereabouts during the commission of the crime.

For the record, there was no physical evidence linking me to this crime – no blood, ballistics evidence, DNA, etc. or other testimony directly places me at the killings. No eyewitness other than L.A. testified that I was even at the scene that night. L.A.’s testimony was central to the case against me.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit found L.A.’s testimony to be unreliable with the following determination:

[L.A.]’s credibility was indeed questionable. [L.A.] had agreed to testify in exchange for an extraordinarily favorable plea agreement that took off the table all four murder charges against him. Parts of [L.A.]’s story were either arguably inconsistent with the other evidence, or inherently unbelievable, such as his claim that [A.M.] never cried despite the gunfire in the residence. [L.A.]’s self-serving attempts to minimize his role in the shootings – particularly his claim that, despite bringing an AK-47 assault rifle to [A.M.]’s apartment, he never fired a single shot – cast his credibility even further into doubt.

Gary, Indiana Homicide Detective, M.J., and Lake County, Indiana Chief Prosecutor, B.C., ignored the overwhelming physical evidence contradicting Aaron’s false testimony. In addition, M.J. and B.C. also turned a blind eye to the 7th Circuit credibility determination of L.A. not being a credible or reliable source.

I asked myself the question everyone is probably thinking: what motivated authorities to side with the witness over: (1) overwhelming physical evidence contradicting L.A’s testimony and (2) the court’s credibility determination? I learned the answer to this question during my second trial in 2011. L.A.’s father and Detective M.J. were lifelong friends. I don’t want to believe that I was framed to save Detective M.J’s best friend’s son, but this is what the evidence proves.

During the interrogation of L.A., he originally denied any involvement in the 2600 Polk Street murders. He also denied having any knowledge of who may have committed the crime. L.A. didn’t change his story until a private meeting was held between him, his parents, and Detective M.J. No one knows what was said in the meeting but the people present. As a result, the parties can put any twists on the events that took place, as they see fit. However, L.A.’s new story after the meeting was that he was present at the scene of the crime, but only as a lookout and to commit a robbery. He further claims that J.P and I did the killings.

Like the Jones v. Basinger court determined, L.A. minimized his involvement in the crime, but during my two trials, the court purposely prevented me from presenting evidence regarding L.A.’s violent criminal history which contradicts his testimony.

For instance, when L.A. was just 16 years old and in the 10th grade, he was convicted as a juvenile with “attempting to murder” the brother of the victim in this case. Moreover, most, if not all of the victims in this case were shot with the weapon L.A. admitted to having. L.A. has a history since the time he was a juvenile of committing violent crimes.

L.A.’s testimony was also contradicted by numerous items of “physical evidence.” For example, L.A. claimed that I received a call from one of the four victims, A.M., between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and 10:45 p.m.; wherein, L.A. claimed that A.M. told me that he had $6,000 and asked me for a ride to go buy some cocaine. Lastly, L.A. asserts that, as a result of the call I received, that I asked him and a guy by the name of J.P. if they wanted to rob A.M. of his $6,000 and they agreed. Also, that we (me, L.A., and J.P) arrived at A.M.’s house at 11:00 p.m. to commit this alleged robbery. Again, numerous items of physical evidence and other witnesses’ testimony contradicts L.A.’s testimony via:

Two (2) alibi witnesses, who can attest to my whereabouts during the commission of the crime. But, the State of Indiana only called one of my two witnesses. Also, since my appointed attorney was working against me and for the State, he refused to call the second witness as well;

A.M.’s cellular phone records contradicts L.A.’s testimony also. Remember, L.A. claimed that A.M. called me in his presence between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and 10:45 p.m. and that the three of us (me, J.P., and L.A.) arrived at A.M.’s home at 11:00 p.m. to commit the alleged robbery. There was no such evidence of a call listed in A.M.’s cellular phone records to support L.A.’s testimony; and

Last, L.A. claimed that A.M. called me for a ride to take him to go buy some cocaine, but the evidence via the crime scene photos clearly showed that large amounts of cocaine were found in three different areas of the residence.

The evidence above proves my innocence, as well as discredits the State’s only witness testimony against me. Above, I listed three examples of what led to me being framed, but the misconduct committed by the State of Indiana is substantial and too lengthy to list here.

On a different note, despite my wrongful imprisonment, I refuse to let my erroneous conviction define me. I came to prison at the age of 29 years old, functionally illiterate and lost. The only thing that sustained me was my faith and belief in the Most High. God blessed me with the drive and dedication to excel in the worst conditions. I put in the work to attain my G.E.D and taught myself the rules and procedures of criminal law. In addition, I completed over 40 programs, two (2) apprenticeships and maintained meaningful employment. Also, in the 21 years of my wrongful imprisonment I have never had not one bad conduct report for getting in any trouble. My character of who I am speaks for itself.

I also help other prisoners on their civil and criminal cases, and mentor prisoners who got locked up as juveniles and who suffer from mental illness. My everyday walk, the people I help, and the lives I played a part in changing define me and not some individuals who know nothing about me. The State chose to cast me in a negative light before the jury to get a conviction.

Even through the pain I have endured, I choose not to forget about the four (4) innocent victims who were lost. I have sympathy for their families and all those affected by their loss. I personally honor the four (4) victims daily by being a positive role model for others to look up to. If I can change and save one person from harming someone else, as well as themselves, it will be well worth it. I have come to understand that prison is a microcosm of society. I choose to live the remainder of my life being a servant, who aids and assists those who are lost and in need.

If you want to know more about my case or get to know me, you can go to GettingOut.com, or write me at Antonio Jones, Booking #: 145609, Wabash Valley Correctional Facility, 6908 S. Old U.S. Hwy. 41, Carlisle, IN 47838.