The Florida Supreme Court has set aside Henry Lee Jones’ conviction and death sentence for the 2003 murder of Carlos Perez, ruling that prosecutors withheld evidence that could have helped Jones challenge the state’s case.
In a decision issued on Thursday, the court ordered a new trial.
What Jones Was Accused Of
Perez, 19, was found dead in a Melbourne motel room on Aug. 27, 2003. He had been strangled and stabbed repeatedly in the neck, according to the court’s decision. Prosecutors argued Jones befriended Perez, then tied him up, sexually assaulted him and killed him.
The state also presented evidence linking the killing to other murders. It pointed to similarities with the killings of Clarence and Lillian James in Tennessee, for which Jones had been convicted, and presented evidence about the 2002 murder of Keith Gross in Fort Lauderdale, where Jones was the primary suspect but was never charged. Investigators also cited a hair found in the motel room, shoe impressions and items recovered from Jones’ car.
COURT: DNA Analysis Was Withheld
In its order, the court found that the state violated its disclosure obligations by not providing defense attorneys with Florida Department of Law Enforcement records about DNA from Deborah Williams Bello found on Perez’s penis.
The records showed FDLE analysts considered it “highly unlikely” that Bello’s DNA had transferred from an unwashed motel comforter and said direct contact was more likely.
At trial, however, prosecution witnesses testified that transfer from the comforter was possible, and prosecutors cited that explanation in closing arguments. Bello testified she had never met Perez.
The court said the records could have been used to challenge that testimony, question the investigation and explore whether Bello had contact with Perez near the time of his death. It concluded there was a reasonable probability that disclosure could have affected the verdict.
Where Do Things Stand Now?
Jones was convicted and sentenced to death for Perez’s killing, which occurred at a Melbourne motel in 2003.
The court’s ruling does not determine Jones’ guilt; it directs that the case be tried again.
Two justices dissented, arguing the withheld records were not material given other evidence presented at trial, including similarities between Perez’s killing and other murders linked to Jones.