Dylan Jones sat through the first day of his own murder trial pleading not guilty. By the second day, he had changed his mind, admitting in open court that he killed his girlfriend, Ariel Levy, in their far north Fort Worth apartment in March 2025. A judge later sentenced him to life in prison, with parole eligibility only after he serves 30 years.
Jones, now 32, changed his plea on both counts in his indictment — murder and aggravated assault — as his jury trial unfolded in Criminal District Court No. 3, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Levy was 28 when she was killed. Judge Doug Allen ultimately assessed Jones's punishment and handed down the life sentence on Sept. 29.
Prosecutors said Jones shot Levy, then fled the scene in the 800 block of Ipswich Avenue driving her SUV and carrying her phone. Officers pursued him for roughly 38 minutes before the chase ended in Hurst, where he crashed, the Star-Telegram reports. A separate account from NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth described a pursuit lasting almost 40 minutes involving more than 20 law enforcement officers.
Casing, Confession and a Blacked-Out Night
Investigators recovered a cartridge casing on a bed next to Levy's body, and the station's report notes it was consistent with the same caliber of weapon Jones had in his possession when he was arrested. Per the arrest affidavit, Jones had told other people he thought he had harmed Levy while blacked out. Prosecutors told jurors Jones was often jealous, distrustful, possessive and controlling of his girlfriend.
Competency Concerns Surfaced Before Trial
The case nearly didn't reach a jury on schedule. Jones's mental health reportedly deteriorated in the three months before March 2026, when his attorney reported that he was hearing voices. His defense attorney, Barry Johnson, wrote at the time that Jones appeared unable to adequately assist in his own defense, prompting Judge Allen to order a competency exam. A psychologist concluded in both December 2025 and again in May 2026 that Jones was competent to stand trial.
In the days before trial, Jones's cooperation with his own attorney broke down further. He refused to discuss the case with Johnson and, four days before proceedings began, would not even leave his cell to meet with him. Johnson had filed an election for the jury to assess punishment, but Jones refused to sign it.
Judge Rejects Delay, Trial Proceeds
Johnson asked for a continuance, but Judge Allen denied the motion, and the guilt-innocence phase of the jury trial went forward as scheduled. Tarrant County District Attorney Phil Sorrells said Jones appeared to believe that refusing to participate could halt the proceedings against him. According to the Star-Telegram, Jones changed his plea only after realizing that his refusal would not stop the trial from moving forward.
With the guilty plea entered, Judge Allen, not the jury, assessed punishment; a 2008 Texas Court of Criminal Appeals opinion noted that once a defendant pleads guilty before a jury, the case simply proceeds to a unitary punishment hearing. Judge Allen ultimately handled sentencing himself, ordering life in prison with parole eligibility after 30 years for Jones.
