A Summerfield man will spend the rest of his life in prison after a jury convicted him of first-degree premeditated murder in the 2023 shooting death of Darius Jones.
Joseph Edwards Horrighs, 41, was found guilty following a three-day jury trial. He was sentenced to life in the Florida Department of Corrections.
‘The just verdict of guilty’
Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bill Gladson called the outcome a measure of justice for Jones’ family.
“This verdict and sentencing hold the defendant accountable for taking the life of Darius Jones and provide a measure of justice for his family,” Gladson said. “A life was taken through an act of premeditated violence, and the jury returned the just verdict of guilty. Our thoughts remain with Mr. Jones’ family and loved ones as they continue to live with this loss.”
How the investigation unfolded
On Sept. 21, 2023, Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a shooting near SE 174th Place and found Darius Jones, 56, dead from multiple gunshot wounds.
Investigators pieced together the events leading up to the shooting through surveillance footage, DNA evidence, and witness accounts.
Detectives learned that Jones had picked up Horrighs and a female companion before the three stopped at a local Walmart. Surveillance cameras captured all three leaving the store together — Jones in the driver’s seat, Horrighs in the front passenger seat, and the woman in the back.
After leaving Walmart, an argument broke out between Horrighs and the woman. Footage from a nearby home showed the woman getting out of the car and walking away on foot. About 20 minutes later, the same footage captured Horrighs walking quickly from the direction the car had driven off.
That placed Horrighs alone with Jones for roughly 20 minutes before the shooting.
Denial, then confession
When investigators first questioned Horrighs, he denied being with Jones that day. After detectives showed him the video evidence, he confessed to being with Jones on the day of the murder.
DNA testing of a gun holster and shell casings found at the crime scene came back as a match to Horrighs. A search warrant executed at Horrighs’ home turned up shell casings that matched those recovered from the scene.
Racial motive alleged
Witnesses told investigators that Horrighs disliked Jones because Jones was African American and because Horrighs believed Jones was flirtatious with his female companion, which made him jealous, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
Horrighs is heavily tattooed. His forehead reads “Praise Lucifer,” his neck displays the number 666, and the letters “CWB” — described as slang for “Crazy White Boy.”
Horrighs was indicted by a grand jury and arrested in February 2024.