After 5 days of at times tense testimony, a Van Buren County jury has sentenced a Colorado man to life without parole for Capital Murder. Rodney D. Jones was charged by 20th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Marcus Vaden with Capital Murder for the September 5, 2008 shooting of his ex-wife, Orzona Fischer. The jury returned a verdict of guilty just before midnight on Friday, October 29, 2010, having found that Vaden had proved the State’s case that Jones drove from Colorado to Clinton, Arkansas on September 5, 2008, shot his ex-wife in the back with a 30-30 scoped rifle and returned to Colorado after having disposed of the rifle in a Kansas river.
The defense tried to argue that a combination of medications and Jones’ mental state combined to cause his action thereby negating any criminal intent on his part. However, the jury did not accept that defense.
Vaden, assisted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Joe Don Winningham argued that Jones’ confession and attempts to dispose of evidence showed his clear thinking and his murderous intent. In sentencing, Vaden argued that the defendant was a cold blooded killer who should now be held accountable for his actions. The jury began hearing evidence regarding sentencing at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 30, 2010 and returned with a verdict of life without parole at approximately 1:45 p.m.
“This case is a perfect example of how the justice system works to hold criminals accountable for their criminal acts and to protect society”, Vaden said.
