A judge found probable cause Thursday in the case against Heritage Jones, 21, who is accused of shooting Kirk Deangelo Perry more than 13 times in an argument over a dog on November 30.
According to court documents, Perry’s dog lunged at Jones after Jones didn’t move out the way when Perry and his dog were passing through.
Perry, 50, was found unconscious and suffering from multiple gun wounds in the 2400 block of Elvans Road Southeast. He died from his injuries at a hospital on December 1.
Based on eyewitness statements, there were three altercations between Perry and Jones, Assistant U.S. Attorney Natalia Medina argued in court. She said when Jones was interviewed he essentially confirmed the witness’ version of events except who had committed Perry’s murder.
Detective Anthony Patterson testified Thursday that Jones told police that he had three separate arguments with Perry, but he denied being involved in Perry’s death.
“Jones said he stepped away and then he heard gunshots,” Patterson said. Jones said that during the time of the second argument, Perry flashed a gun at him, Patterson testified.
Jones’ defense attorney David Maxted argued that Jones was acting in self-defense.
“What happened was tragic, but really unavoidable,” Maxted said. “It started over a comment about a dog. Mr Jones didn’t threaten Mr. Perry, but Perry went to retrieve a gun, approached Jones, and flashed a gun at him.”
Maxted argued that Jones even told Perry, “You don’t threaten me with a gun.” He said there is a lack of evidence of Perry doing anything further other than a witness’ statement.
According to documents, while watching from an apartment balcony, a witness saw Jones and Perry come together for a third time and saw a muzzle flash between Jones and Perry before Perry fell to the ground. The witness told police it ran down from the apartment near the parking lot and saw Jones fire three or four more times before leaving the area.
There seemed to be three encounters and the third encounter showed “no evidence” of Perry threatening Jones which goes against self-defense, Judge Robert E. Morin said before his ruling.
Jones is scheduled for a felony status conference on February 20, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. before Judge Morin.
