Kathy E <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: Prosecutors called their last witnesses to the stand today, providing more damaging testimony against Reco Jones as two police officers told the jury that Jones confessed to the murders of Yolanda Bellamy and her two children and niece and nephew after his arrest. Officer Monica Childs, the first investigator to interview Jones when he was brought to the Detroit Police Department's downtown headquarters the afternoon of Aug. 13, 1997, said Jones waived his right to remain silent and proceeded to engage in a lengthy conversation with her that culminated with the defendant allegedly saying, "You knew all day it was me. You knew I went to Yolanda's house. You knew I did it.'' Childs said she first asked Jones when was the last time he saw Yolanda. Jones said early in the morning and then proceeded to tell the officer he went to Yolanda's when it was still dark. According to Childs, Jones said he and Bellamy argued, and the victim made threats against his family and his mother. Jones started to choke her, long enough for her to stop resisting. The defendant said he then left the house. Jones allegedly told Childs he saw Nathan Jr. and Nathan III in the living room but did not know if they were hurt at the time. Later that morning, according to Childs's account, Jones headed for work when he changed course and wound up at Maliaka Martin's house. At one point in the interview, Childs said, Jones began crying. He told her he wanted to tell her what happened to the kids, but he also said he wanted to talk with his mother first before telling Childs the rest of the story. Childs, however, said she was unsuccessful in reaching Jones's mother. Childs said that later Jones asked her if she believed a person can do something very bad while in a frenzy but cannot stop himself. When Childs replied, "No," this apparently sparked Jones's "you know I did it" outburst. Jones's defense focused its efforts on Childs, questioning why she did not somehow tape or otherwise record her interview with him. Childs answered that that was against department policy, and state law does not require police to record interviews. And defense attorney John McWilliams made an effort to point out to the jury that at no time in the hours upon hours of police interviews did Jones admit to stabbing the five victims to death. Sgt. Reginald Harvel interrogated Jones after Officer Childs. He testified that the defendant was upset and crying after his arrest, saying that he had cared for the victim. Jones allegedly described to the officer how Bellamy had told him that she was pregnant with his child but was going to refuse to carry out the pregnancy. Because of this, Jones allegedly confessed to Harvel, he "snapped" and killed Bellamy. Jones then told Harvel that he needed to be alone. The officer left the room briefly, but when he returned, he saw Jones climbing out the window. Harvel tearfully recalled Jones telling him to get away from him, saying that jumping was "something he just had to do." Jones jumped as Harvel reached for him and fell several stories onto the concrete below. The defendant survived the suicide attempt but suffered a broken elbow and various internal injuries. In addition to police testimony, blood expert Cathy Carr returned to the stand to finish her cross-examination by the defense. Carr admitted that she was not aware that police reports did not note any cuts on Jones. (Officer Childs and another police officer, Steven Yakimovich, would later testify that Jones did have a cut on his right hand. But neither of them noted the cut in a police report or took pictures of the cut itself.) She also said that no blood was found in his fingernail scrapings or on the alleged murder weapon. (But there was prior testimony that Jones had washed his hands and the knife after the slayings). Carr did not conduct a similar test of Maliaka Martin, who had helped Jones attempt to cover up his alleged role in the murders. The state is expected to wrap its case in the morning by calling Rauol Williams, an inmate who roomed with Jones. He is expected to testify that Jones confessed the murders to him. Williams is also expected to say that Jones admitted to jumping out the police headquarters window but planned to sue by claiming officers pushed him. Finally, Williams will testify that Jones asked him if he would kill Maliaka Martin. The defense for Reco Jones has begun their case today (Thursday) Reco Jones is on the stand testifying. -- Kathy E "I can only please one person a day, today is NOT your day, and tomorrow isn't looking too good for you either" http://members.delphi.com/kathylaw/ Law & Issues Mailing List http://pw1.netcom.com/~kathye/rodeo.html - Cowboy Histories http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Lobby/2990/law.htm Crime photo's Subscribe/Unsubscribe, email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the body of the message enter: subscribe/unsubscribe law-issues
