The State rested its case today in the capital murder trial of Rodney Jones. Jones is accused of the murder of his former wife, Orzonia Fischer. Prosecutors have alleged that Jones traveled from Colorado to Van Buren County where he shot and killed Ms. Fisher.
The State, represented by Twentieth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Marcus Vaden and Deputy Prosecutor Joe Don Winningham, continued its case today by presenting testimony from several witnesses. Among those witnesses were Dr. Steven Erickson, of the State Medical Examiner’s Office, who testified that the victim was shot with a 30.30 rifle and her death occurred rapidly. The State next presented testimony from the defendant’s mother, Elizabeth Jones, who was present when the defendant discussed how he had shot Ms. Fischer and then drove back to Colorado stopping at a river in Kansas to dispose of the weapon. Jurors then heard testimony from Wesley Potts, who worked with law enforcement officers in Kansas to recover the firearm the defendant had disposed of in the river. Also testifying was Dr. Steven Hargis, a firearms and ballistics expert from the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory who testified that the bullet found in the body of Ms. Fischer came from the firearm that was recovered in this case.
The trial is expected to continue tomorrow as the Defense begins to present witnesses and testimony. It is believed that the jury may hear closing arguments and begin their deliberations as early as tomorrow afternoon. The State is seeking the death penalty in this case.
