Jones found guilty of first-degree murder | News, Sports, Jobs

Jones, of Fort Dodge, was charged in April with murdering his father, 55-year-old Dennis Jones, and dumping his body in a ditch in Webster County. The body was later found by a rural mail carrier in Webster County.

He remained stoic as the verdict was read. His mother, Shannon Jones, sobbed loudly outside the courtroom and was later taken away by police.

The trial of Alec Jones began last week in Webster County District Court. The prosecution concluded its argument on Monday afternoon. The defense concluded its argument on Tuesday.

Closing arguments followed jury instructions Wednesday morning. Brad McIntyre, first assistant Webster County prosecutor, argued that on April 26, after two hours of denials, Jones admitted to investigators that he shot his father and that he was carrying a Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol with a flashlight attachment, which was seen on a video submitted as evidence by the prosecution. McIntyre stated that Dennis Jones “was hunted and killed by Alec Jones” and pointed to text and Facebook messages Jones had sent to his brother Nathan, which said: “Someone was going to die that night.”

Finally, defense attorney Katherine Flickinger argued that the state had not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt. She explained that the gun matched one that Nathan Jones had purchased and owned, not Alec Jones. Flickinger also argued that Dennis Jones had high levels of methamphetamine and amphetamines in his blood that made him violent, explaining that Alec had previously said his father had attacked him with a hammer and that he was defending himself when he shot him three times.

McIntyre concluded his closing argument shortly after noon on Wednesday by claiming that Alec's conduct was intentional and malicious.

The jury began deliberations at 12:35 p.m. and reported its verdict to the clerk at 2:30 p.m.

Alec Jones' sentencing is scheduled for October 8 at 10 a.m. at the Webster County Courthouse.

Jones' younger brother Nathan is awaiting trial for first-degree murder.