Jodie Lamont Ward | Homicide Watch DC

Felicia Jones Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Death of Jodie Ward

Ivan Natividad — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:42:36 -0400

Judge Ronna Beck sentenced Felicia Jones Friday to six years in prison in connection with the stabbing death of 30-year-old Jodie Lamont Ward.

Jones, 31, was arrested for Ward's death on October 20, 2011, shortly after firefighters found Ward unconscious on the floor of Jones' Southeast DC home with a knife protruding from his ear; she was later charged with second-degree murder.

In a letter read in open court Friday, Jones said that Ward was “a friend that I cared about.”

“I apologize to Jodie’s family and I am sorry for their loss,” the letter said. “If I wasn’t on PCP, this wouldn’t have happened.”

Jones stood trial in January, but the jury in that trial would not reach a verdict. After two days of jury deliberations, jurors announced that they were deadlocked.

Six weeks later Jones plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter.

Jones testified at trial that she stabbed Ward after he slipped into a PCP-fueled rage and destroyed her child's playroom. Jones said that Ward dragged her upstairs, and during the struggle, she grabbed a knife and stabbed him in the ear.

“I feel like the sentence should have been higher," said Ward's aunt, Robin Ward, who attended the sentencing Friday. "She admitted to [the murder] on video.”

According to the plea agreement, Jones faced a sentence of five to six years in prison. The sentence to six years was the maximum allowed according to the terms of the agreement.

“There was a life lost here,” said Judge Ronna Beck. “That’s really what it comes down to.”

Felicia Jones Pleads Guilty to Unarmed Voluntary Manslaughter in Death of Jodie Ward

Sam Pearson — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 10:01:05 -0400

Felicia Jones entered a guilty plea Thursday morning that will require prosecutors to drop the most serious charges against her in connection with the 2011 death of Jodie Lamont Ward.

A jury deadlocked in January in the second-degree murder case against Jones, 31, and she was scheduled to go to trial again March 25.

Jurors in January told Judge Ronna Beck that they deadlocked with eight jurors in favor of finding Jones guilty of second-degree murder. The jury also deadlocked on the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter while armed, with nine voting guilty.

In exchange for a guilty plea to unarmed voluntary manslaughter, Jones' attorney, Janet Mitchell, agreed to request a sentence of at least five years behind bars, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Leibman said he wouldn't ask for more than six years.

At trial, Jones testified she had been smoking PCP with Ward at her home when Ward began acting erratically.

Ward dragged her upstairs into her daughter’s playroom, where the two of them fell onto the floor. When Ward reached for one of two knives, Jones grabbed a knife, stabbed Ward in the ear, and then ran downstairs to call police.

Jones is scheduled for sentencing May 17 at 10:30 a.m.

A copy of the plea agreement is below:

Felicia Jones Plea Agreement (PDF)Felicia Jones Plea Agreement (Text)

Jurors Deadlock in Felicia Jones Murder Trial

Penny Ray — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 14:25:12 -0500

Jurors in the murder case against Felicia Jones have deadlocked after two days of negotiations, telling Judge Ronna Beck that they were "hopelessly" unable to find Jones either guilty or innocent in the stabbing death of Jodie Ward.

The deadlock prompted Beck to declare the case a mistrial this afternoon.

The jurors' announcement came shortly after 1 p.m. Thursday. They told Beck that they deadlocked with eight jurors in favor of finding Jones guilty of second-degree murder. The jury also deadlocked on the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter while armed, with nine voting guilty.

Beck set a new trial date for March 25, should prosecutors decide to retry Jones.

Jones, taking the stand in her defense Monday, testified she was smoking PCP with Ward in her home the night Ward died. She said she prepared chips and dip and put on a Lil’ Wayne CD for them to listen to. Ward went upstairs to clean himself up after he accidentally sat on the snacks, she said.

That was when Jones heard a loud noise as she was washing dishes. Ward came downstairs and grabbed Jones, dragging her upstairs, she said.

Jones testified that she had grabbed two kitchen knives for protection when she realized that Ward was acting erratically. Then Ward dragged her upstairs into her daughter's playroom where the two of them fell onto the floor. The knives were dropped during the scuffle, Jones testified, but when Ward reached for one of the knives, Jones picked one up, stabbed him in the ear, and then ran downstairs to call police.

Ward was “a ticking time bomb waiting to go off,” Jones’ attorney, Janet Mitchell, argued. Ward was “a crazy man in her house,” Mitchell said.

Tests showed Ward was dehydrated, consistent with a PCP rage, Mitchell argued.

Dr. Joseph Pestaner, deputy medical examiner at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, testified that the .33 millgrams per liter of PCP found in Ward’s body was considered a lethal dose. Ward might have survived the stabbing had he been sober, in good health and sought medical treatment promptly, Pestaner said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Liebman argued Jones didn’t mention the PCP-attack when officers questioned her later that night. Video tape of Jones talking for about 45 minutes about the case while held in a police interrogation room shows her appearing dazed and speaking passively of the incident, Liebman said.

Mitchell argued Jones was high on PCP at the time, which Jones testified made her feel relaxed and dazed.

Jones didn’t have any injuries and didn’t seek medical treatment that night, Liebman said. He argued that some scratches to Ward’s hands could be consistent with him defending himself against Jones.

Liebman said Jones was angry with Ward for destroying her belongings and attacked him.

Instead of calling law enforcement, Liebman said, she decided “to take care of things herself.”

A status hearing has been scheduled for March 1.

Sam Pearson contributed reporting.

Felicia Jones Testifies She Stabbed Jodie Ward to Fend Off PCP-Fueled Attack

Sam Pearson — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 21:33:52 -0500

Taking the stand on her on behalf, Felicia Jones told jurors at her murder trial that she killed Jodie Ward out of fear that he would rape or kill her when he attacked her in a PCP-fueled daze.

Jones, 30, attempted to explain to jurors at trial Monday the series of events that led to Ward’s death that Oct. 2011 day at her Eaton Road Southeast home.

Jones testified that the pair had a brief romantic relationship in 2008. When the relationship ended, the pair developed a platonic friendship centered around shared PCP use, Jones said.

Ward helped Jones move into her home and stopped by when he felt like it, Jones said. Ward told her he was homeless, and she would sometimes let him shower and give him deodorant, socks and grooming supplies, she said.

But when Ward showed up in Aug. 2011, he looked haggard, Jones said.

Jones said she was looking to get her life together that fall. She wanted to find a job and stop using PCP, she said.

Ward dropped by again Oct. 20, 2011 with two capsules of PCP. Jones let him into the house; she said he looked like he had been smoking already.

Jones made chips and dip for the pair and they sat in the living room to smoke the drug.

At some point, she said, Ward began acting erratically. He said he was having negative thoughts but promised he wouldn’t hurt her, Jones said. She said she lit a scented candle in the hope of soothing him.

Ward went upstairs, and Jones began doing dishes in the kitchen. That was when she heard “a whole lot of noise” coming from upstairs. Ward had thrown a table down the flight of stairs, Jones said.

Jones said Ward came downstairs and grabbed her from behind, pulling her upstairs. She had two kitchen knives in her hand that she had taken for protection while she was washing the dishes.

She said she asked Ward, “Jodie, what’s wrong? What was all that noise?” but he said nothing.

Ward dragged her upstairs, where she said she found a scene of destruction. Ward had trashed her bedroom, her daughter’s bedroom and another room used as a playroom.

“I couldn’t even recognize it,” Jones said. “I have never seen anything like that, ever.”

Jones said Ward pulled her into the playroom. The two of them fell to the ground, and Jones ended up on top of Ward, dropping the knives in the process. Ward began “bucking” to throw Jones off, she said.

That was when she saw Ward reaching for one of the knives, Jones told the jury. She said she grabbed it first and, fearing for her life, stabbed Ward in the ear and ran downstairs to call police.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Liebman argued Jones didn’t show enough remorse in a videotape recorded as she waited in a police interrogation room the night of Ward’s death, making phone calls to her boyfriend where she discussed the case. She didn’t say anything on the phone about fearing for her life, only that she was upset Ward “ransacked” her bedroom, Liebman said.

But Jones said she was saddened by Ward’s death.

“I miss Jodie. I care about him. I wish he was still alive,” Jones said. “He was my friend.”

Closing arguments are scheduled for Tuesday in the case.

Felicia Jones Pleads Innocent in Stabbing Death of Jodie Ward

Rebecca Zisser — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 11:52:15 -0400

Felicia Jones pled innocent on Friday morning to second-degree murder while armed in the stabbing death of Jodie Ward.

Ward was found unconscious in a child’s bedroom in a home in Southeast DC the night of Oct. 20. According to charging documents, a knife was protruding from his left ear.

It was initially unclear whether wounds inflicted from the knife contributed to his death, charging documents state.

Jones was arrested the same night on suspicion of second-degree murder while armed, but was presented in court with a charge of assault with intent to kill. She was later presented with the charge of second-degree murder when DC's Chief Medical Examiner concluded that the manner of Ward's death was a homicide, the charging documents state. The assault charge was dismissed.

At Jones' arraignment Friday, prosecutors said an official plea offer would be made to Jones soon.

Jones is scheduled for a status hearing with Judge William Jackson on July 13.

Self-Defense Claim Rejected in Stabbing Death of Jodie Ward

Laura Amico — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 12:26:15 -0500

Felicia Jones was ordered held on probable cause today in the stabbing death of 30-year-old Jodie Ward.

Jones, also 30, has been in custody since Ward was found dead in Jones' daughter's bedroom. Ward was face down on the floor with a knife protruding from his ear, MPD Detective Gabriel Truby testified at a preliminary hearing Monday.

Truby said the knife blade was "long and thin, like a kitchen knife" and that the blade was "pretty far in" Ward's ear.

While in an interview room at MPD’s violent crimes branch, Jones placed a call on her cell phone and stated that she “had to hurt Jodie” and that she had “tried for the throat," Truby said. But when detectives placed her under arrest and tried to interview Jones further, Jones appeared "confused" and "acted like she didn't know what was going on," Truby said.

An autopsy concluded that Ward had PCP in his system at the time of his death. Jones also said in a phone conversation while at MPD that Ward was "flipping out" and breaking things in her house.

Judge William Jackson, however, rejected Jones' attorney's claim that the stabbing was in self-defense.

"'I tried for the throat' has a little more intent than self-defense," Jackson said.

Murder Charge for Felicia Jones in Death of Jodi Ward

Laura Amico — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:22:46 -0500

DC's Chief Medical Examiner has concluded that Jodi Ward was killed in a homicide and the woman police believe attacked him is now being charged with murder.

Felicia Jones was arrested on Oct. 20, the same night firefighters found Ward unconscious and not breathing on the floor of a Southeast DC home with a knife protruding from his ear. Jones was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder while armed, but was presented in court with a charge of assault with intent to kill.

According to charging documents, the Medical Examiner's report was amended when investigators determined that the cause of death was a stab wound to the ear with PCP intoxication. Detectives were notified on Nov. 8 that the manner of death was determined to be homicide, the charging documents state.

Jones is expected for a preliminary hearing Dec. 16.

Read the charging documents for the murder charge below.

Murder Charge for Woman Suspected in Assault of Jodie Ward

Laura Amico — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:29:37 -0500

A charge of second-degree murder while armed is expected to be presented to Felicia Jones Friday afternoon, court records show.

Jones, 30, is currently in custody on suspicion of assault with intent to kill in connection with the death of Jodi Ward.

MPD initially arrested Jones in the Ward case on a murder charge, but the charge was reduced while the Medical Examiner worked to determine Ward's cause of death.

He was found unconscious in a child’s bedroom in a home in Southeast DC late on Oct. 20. According to charging documents in the assault case, a knife was protruding from Ward's left ear. The documents state that while in an interview room at MPD’s violent crimes branch, Jones placed a call on her cell phone and stated that she “had to hurt Jodie” and that she had “tried for the throat.”

Jones is expected in courtroom C-10 sometime after 1 p.m. Friday.

Barry Farms Stabbing will be Prosecuted as Assault while Medical Examiner Determines Cause of Death

Laura Amico — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:08:02 -0400

A case initially described as a homicide has been charged as an assault and removed from the year's homicide total while DC's Medical Examiner works to determine a cause of death.

Jodie Ward was found unconscious in a child's bedroom in a home in Southeast DC late Thursday night. According to charging documents, a knife was protruding from his left ear.

It is unclear at this point though whether wounds inflicted from the knife contributed to his death, charging documents state.

Felicia Jones was arrested in connection with the case and is charged with assault with intent to kill. While in an interview room at MPD's violent crimes branch, Jones placed a call on her cell phone and stated that she "had to hurt Jodie" and that she had "tried for the throat."

Jones was presented with the assault charge Saturday and is expected in court Nov. 17 for a preliminary hearing.

Read charging documents below.

Murder Charge Against Felicia Jones Reduced to Assault

Laura Amico — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 18:28:53 -0400

The charge against Felicia Jones, arrested Thursday in the death of Jodie Ward has been reduced to Assault With Intent to Kill while Armed.

In a statement MPD said that the reduced charge was in light of information from the medical examiner and said that the cause of death is still pending.

MPD's amended press release is below.

October 21, 2011

AMENDED: Investigation in death in the 1100 Block of Eaton Road, SE

(Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a death which occurred in the 1100 block of Eaton Road, SE.

On Thursday, October 20, 2011 at approximately 11:02 pm, units from the Seventh District responded to the 1100 block of Eaton Road, SE to investigate the report of an unconscious person. Upon their arrival, they located an unconscious and unresponsive male suffering from a stab wound. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded to the scene and determined that the victim had no signs consistent with life and was pronounced dead by a member of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia.

The decedent has been identified as 30 year-old Jodie Ward, with no fixed address.

At this time, the cause of death is pending further review from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Charges against 30-year-old Felicia Dianne Jones of Southeast Washington, DC, who was arrested on Thursday, October 20, 2011, have been amended from Murder II while Armed to Assault With Intent to Kill while Armed due to information obtained from the Medical Examiner.

One Dead, One Arrested in Fatal SE DC Stabbing

Laura Amico — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:23:15 -0400

A 30-year-old man was fatally stabbed in Southeast DC late Thursday night, according to MPD homicide detectives.

The victim has been identified as Jodie Ward. A 30-year-old woman is in custody in connection with the case. She's been identified as Felicia Jones.

A press release from MPD is below.

Arrest Made in the Homicide: 1100 Block of Eaton Road, SE

(Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating the fatal stabbing which occurred in the 1100 block of Eaton Road, SE.

On Thursday, October 20, 2011 at approximately 11:02 pm, units from the Seventh District responded to the 1100 block of Eaton Road, SE to investigate the report of an unconscious person. Upon their arrival, they located an unconscious and unresponsive male suffering from a stab wound. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded to the scene and determined that the victim had no signs consistent with life and was pronounced dead by a member of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia.

The decedent has been identified as 30 year-old Jodie Ward, with no fixed address.

On Thursday, October 20, 2011, members of the Homicide Branch arrested 30-year-old Felicia Dianne Jones of Southeast Washington, DC, charging her with Murder II while Armed.