Conviction of man who killed four in Gary upheld
Post-Tribune staff report September 14, 2012 2:24PM
Antonio Jones arrested in connection with a quadruple murder in Gary. | Andy Lavalley~Sun-Times Media
Updated: October 16, 2012 6:08AM
The Indiana Court of Appeals has upheld the 2011 conviction of a Gary man who killed four people, including a toddler, at a Gary drug house.
Antonio D. Jones, 37, who was granted a new trial by the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, appealed his most recent conviction that netted him a 240-year sentence by Lake Superior Court Judge Thomas Stefaniak Jr.
Jones was convicted in the murders of Anthony McClendon Sr., 23; his son, Anthony McClendon Jr., 23 months; Jimmie Jones, 45; and his wife, Laurice Jones, 48, at the Joneses’ residence at 2600 Polk St., Gary.
Jones sought to have his conviction in the 2004 murders overturned on the argument that the trial court improperly admitted hearsay evidence, that his right to confront witnesses against him was violated, that the court improperly excluded evidence of bias against him by a co-defendant and that there was insufficient evidence to convict him.
Deputy prosecutors Jamise Perkins and Evelyn Scott presented evidence that Jones and his two co-defendants went to the Polk Street apartment to rob McClendon, who had been in contact with Jones and indicated he had $6,000 and wanted to buy drugs.
Police found powder cocaine inside the apartment and crack cocaine cooking on the stove. All of the victims were shot multiple times.
