TO:  LOCAL NEWS MEDIA

FROM:  VAN WERT COUNTY COMMON PLEAS COURT  

DATE:  Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Re:   Van Wert Man Found Guilty Of Murdering His Grandmother

Shawn M. Jones, 36, Van Wert, Ohio was found guilty by Judge Charles D. Steele of murdering his grandmother on October 1^st, 2010 at her home here in Van Wert.

According to a very detailed investigation conducted by the Van Wert City Police Department along with a confession from Jones admitting to the murder a conviction was reached.

The case was presented to a trial before Judge Charles D. Steele avoiding a jury trial.

Judge Steele heard evidence concerning DNA and blood splatters which was provided by forensic scientists and crime scene investigators from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification. 

Testimony was heard from a number of Van Wert City Police Officers and a video tape was view where Mr. Jones confessed to killing his grandmother.  It was determined that he and his grandmother became involved in an argument where he hit her and slung her around in a room.   Later he allegedly tied an alarm clock cord around her neck strangling her.

Jones was found guilty of an unspecified felony of Murder and ordered to spend an indefinite term of 15 year to life by Judge Steele.  Jones was given credit for 385 days which he served in jail awaiting final disposition of his case.