Jones v. State

Jerry Jones was charged with and found guilty of first degree premeditated murder with a firearm and possession of cocaine. 1 On appeal, Jones asserts that the trial court erred when it denied his motion for judgment of acquittal because the State failed to prove the element of premeditation. He also argues the trial judge committed reversible error in admitting statements of the victim under the dying declaration exception to the hearsay rule. 2 Because the State introduced extensive evidence from medical and weapons experts as well as pre-trial statements from Jones himself — all of which…