LEONARDTOWN — A Lexington Park husband and wife have both been convicted of first-degree murder in the October 2025 shooting death of a man who, prosecutors said, had simply come to their home to give someone a ride to work.
David Scott Jones, 59, pleaded guilty in June to first-degree murder and use of a firearm in a crime of violence. His wife, Djhonna Mari Jones, 47, was found guilty this week of first-degree murder, second-degree murder and related firearm charges after a two-day bench trial, St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced Oct. 16.
The two convictions came by different routes. David Jones, who fired the shots, admitted guilt in a plea. Djhonna Jones, who prosecutors said brought him the gun, contested the charges and was convicted by Circuit Judge Joseph Stanalonis, who heard the case without a jury and presided over both cases.
Neither has been sentenced, and the release did not give a sentencing date. Authorities have not publicly identified the victim.
What happened on Bellevue Court
According to the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office investigation summarized by prosecutors, the victim arrived at the couple’s home in the 21000 block of Bellevue Court on Oct. 27, 2025, to pick up one of the occupants for work. After that person got into his car, he began backing out of the driveway, and another vehicle pulled in and blocked him.
David Jones got out of that vehicle, started an argument and demanded the victim get out of his car. The victim did, and asked Jones to move his vehicle; Jones refused. Djhonna Jones then went inside the house, retrieved a loaded firearm and handed it to her husband, who is prohibited from possessing firearms, prosecutors said. A physical fight followed, and as the victim tried to retreat, David Jones shot him multiple times, killing him.
Deputies were called to the home around 6:40 p.m. and found the man near the driveway with multiple gunshot wounds; he died at the scene, the Chronicle reported at the time. David Jones was charged that night. Djhonna Jones was arrested nearly a month later, on Nov. 20, 2025, and was ordered held without bond.
“This encounter never should have escalated to such violence. The victim was simply trying to help someone get to work when he was met with an immediate death sentence,” Sterling said. She thanked the investigators and prosecutors and said nothing can lessen the loss for the people who knew and loved the victim.
What they face
In Maryland, first-degree murder carries a sentence of life in prison, with or without the possibility of parole, under Criminal Law Section 2-201. Using a firearm in a crime of violence carries at least five years, which cannot be suspended or paroled, and up to 20 years under Section 4-204.
Prosecutors said David Jones faces a maximum of life plus 20 years, and Djhonna Jones faces a maximum of life plus 25 years. Those are the most the law allows; the actual sentences will be set by the judge at a later hearing.
Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Donna Pettersen and Assistant State’s Attorney Shaye Reynolds prosecuted the cases. Cpl. Andrew Burgess of the Sheriff’s Office was the lead investigator.
