On Monday, a D.C. man was convicted in a Superior Court on a slew of charges including one count of assault with intent to kill while armed, this was due to a violent dispute that took a tragic turn outside a social club, affecting an NFL hopeful's future indefinitely. The U.S. Attorney's Office in the District of Columbia provided details of Roger Lee Jones' conviction, who is now faced with prison time after causing irreparable harm.
As reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office, the altercation began with a personal argument at Kick Axe Throw Social club which escalated as Jones took off with his ex-girlfriend's vehicle keys, returning only to brutally assault her, and after security personnel intervened, he fled and later shot an uninvolved security guard who doubled as an NFL prospect, leaving him paralyzed. The jury didn't take the attacker's brutal sequence of actions lightly, finding him guilty of multiple counts including aggravated assault while armed and unauthorized use of a vehicle Judge Danya A. Dayson has set June 13th as the sentencing date, which could set a tone for the severe consequences of such a reckless and destructive night.
The victim who once harbored dreams of playing professionally in the NFL, was left to a life far removed from the gridiron, paralyzed from the waist down after Jones approached from behind and discharged seven shots. The U.S. Attorney's Office detailed the evidence that ensured Jones' conviction, including surveillance footage, cell phone and vehicle data, and ballistics evidence that tied the gun to Jones and an accomplice in another shooting incident.
In the wake of the verdict, U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr. and MPD Chief Pamela Smith have both lauded the meticulous investigative efforts by the officers and detectives of the Metropolitan Police Department their diligence enabled the prosecutors to present an unassailable case leading to Jones' conviction, the diligent work of the law enforcement and the legal team underscored the commitment to seeking justice, no matter the delayed hours and challenging obstacles.
