NEWTON COUNTY- A Newton County pastor was found guilty of murder and sentenced to two years in prison for shooting and killing his nephew outside of a Baptist Church in 2013.
Luther Jones, 67, was found guilty of murder in the killing of Curtis Paul Jones, his nephew, on Wednesday in Newton.
Prosecutor's witnesses said Curtis Paul was shot twice, once in the head and once in the chest. Jones pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.
The weapon was a .38 Special revolver and was loaded with flat nose full metal jacket rounds. Upon cross examination the Defense Attorney questioned witnesses testimony to the number of shots fired. Testimony from a witness at the church at the time of the shooting stated that 4 or 5 shots were fired instead of 3.
Newton County Sheriff, Edward Shannon gave testimony that after the incident, Jones drove home, wrapped the gun in a rag, laid it on the bed cover of his truck, and waited for the police to arrive. The sheriff brought Jones to his office where he read him his Miranda rights. After speaking with his lawyer, Jones gave a written and signed statement as well as a drawing depicting how the events occurred.
But friends and family of the pastor say he was acting in self-defense.
“He pulled into that parking lot and Mr. Jones cut him off and told him he needs to leave,” Rex Wilson, a family friend said. “He said we don't need any trouble here in the house of God. That's when he told him "you old gray headed S B I'll kill you right here".
Wilson said two years is too harsh of a punishment.
“This was the worst miscarriage of justice that I have ever sat in one spot and looked and listened to.”
But the victim’s sister, Juanita Jones said two years isn’t long enough.
“I started crying and I still think that's not a correct punishment,” Juanita said. “Two years is a slap on the wrist.”
Juanita is upset. She said her brother, Curtis Jones, was shot to death after trying to get his life back on track. He had served prison time but said he was headed to another church the day he died. On his way, he passed his uncles church.
“They say someone flagged him down so he went back to see what he wanted,” Juanita said. “Then all of a sudden the pastor tells the people inside of the church that there's a snake outside and he'll be back in shortly.”
That’s when she said her brother was murdered.
Paul Jones, the pastor’s son had high praise for the professionalism of law enforcement and the judicial process.
“The wheels of justice have just rolled and we have to respect the juror’s decision,” his son said. “They came up with a verdict and we respect the process.”
Juanita may always believe that verdict was flawed. She said her brother would frequently extend a helping hand to her uncle and said her brother was innocent.
“What child of God does something like that to his own nephew,” Juanita said. “That's straight up hypocrisy. I forgive them but I never forget.”
