Man accused of killing his half-sister, MiYonna Jones, could face the death penalty

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A man charged with first degree murder in the death of his teen half-sister, MiYonna Jones, appeared in court Thursday morning.

25-year-old Jahreese Jones appeared before a judge at the New Hanover County Courthouse for a pre-trial conference, deciding how the case will be tried.

The prosecution proposed Jahreese Jones’ case be tried as first-degree capital murder case, and Superior Court Judge Frank Jones ruled in favor of the DA’s Office’s proposal.

Jones is charged in the death of his half-sister, 16-year-old MiYonna Jones. the investigation into her disappearance led to a two week-long search at the New Hanover County landfill, but her body was found in Pender County on November 17.

“Every murder is especially heinous, atrocious, and cruel. Some are especially so,” said Ben David, New Hanover County District Attorney.

This means if found guilty, Jones could face the death penalty.

“We have seen a recent death penalty handed down by a Columbus County jury within this last month. So, we’re not having a theoretical conversation,” said David. “We, –again, will continue to enforce this law, when we believe the circumstances are there. We do not take this decision lightly.”

Jones is being held without bond at the New Hanover County Detention Center.

He has also been charged with first degree kidnapping, first degree rape, and incest.

“For that reason, we convened a capital review committee to determine whether or not one of more aggravating circumstances are present, because not every first degree murder is death penalty eligible. You have to have the existence of one or more aggravating circumstances. We internally held that meeting, and looked at all the evidence in the law, and determined that the death penalty was appropriate. A judge just agreed with us, and so we’re going to be trying Mr. Jones for his life,” said David.

Judy McKnight, Jone’s grandmother, and his girlfriend Randi Johnson, are both facing obstruction of justice charges in the case.

David says New Hanover County has more than 50 pending homicide cases, and he does not anticipate Jahreese Jones’ trial will be held this year.