Jones murder trial moved back to October

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

The murder trial of Van Wert resident Shawn Jones has been moved back two months at the request of the defendant’s attorney.

Van Wert County Common Pleas Judge Charles D. Steele made the decision to continue the trial until October 17 — more than a year after the murder of Jones’ 84-year-old grandmother, Edna LaRue. The woman’s body was discovered in her apartment on October 1, 2010. She had been strangled, apparently with a rope or similar weapon.

Jones’ attorney, Scott Gordon, argued that he has not had access to evidence in the case for private DNA analysis. County Prosecutor Charles F. Kennedy III disagreed, stating that he had provided all evidence to Gordon in a timely manner and that the defense attorney had ample time to have the evidence analyzed.

After hearing both sides’ arguments, Judge Steele made the decision to continue the five-day trial from August 8 until mid-October.

Jones is accused of strangling his grandmother after she would not allow him to borrow her vehicle. Jones was alleged to have been helping out his grandmother when the murder occurred and reportedly confessed to her murder during questioning. Gordon attempted to get the confession suppressed, but Judge Steele rejected that request following a hearing on the matter.

Last week, Jones opted to retain his plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, even though he has been found competent to stand trial by both Court Diagnostics & Treatment in Toledo and a private psychologist hired by Gordon.