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Murder suspect says he’s sorry

Mother of victim said Timothy Jones expressed remorse for 2 deaths.

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By Mark McGregor, Staff Writer 10:53 PM Thursday, February 2, 2012

SPRINGFIELD — A double-murder suspect whose arraignment was postponed a second time Thursday apologized to the families in court, one victim’s family said.

Mary Dill, the mother of victim Dovon Williams and cousin of suspected murderer Timothy Jones Jr., said the apology was a change from his first arraignment a week ago when he showed no remorse.

“It made me feel a little better, but it’s not going to bring my son back,” Dill said. He also apologized to the family of victim Arbrie Smith, she said.

Police say Jones gunned down Williams, 28, and Smith, 27, Oct. 16 at West Perrin Avenue and Center Street after an argument.

Earlie Smith, a Williams family friend, said she did not think his apology was sincere.

“There was nothing in his face or his eyes that was sincere,” Smith said. “He had a smirk on his face.”

Dill said while she and Jones are kin, Jones should do the right thing and admit to the murder. “You weren’t a man when you took a life, be a man now and take the punishment.”

Clark County Common Pleas Court Judge Douglas Rastatter continued Jones’ arraignment for a second time Thursday after he asked for more time to find a private attorney.

He faces two counts of aggravated murder with a weapons specification and a felony charge of having weapons under disability, according to court records. Arraignment is scheduled for 2 p.m. Feb. 9.

Jones will also be arraigned on felony weapons and drug charges from a February 2011 case through the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

He was pulled over Feb. 20 of last year for speeding on Ohio 72 and found to not have a valid driver’s license. Troopers found a loaded semi-automatic handgun and 1.4 grams of crack cocaine in the rental car he was driving, officials said.

He was released on bond and, due to the time it takes to process evidence, he wasn’t indicted on those charges by a Clark County Grand Jury until December, officials. said.

Rastatter set bond at $1 million late last month.

Staff writer Jessica Heffner contributed to this report.

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