Elwood Jones, an Ohio inmate who has been on death row for nearly three decades, was released from Hamilton County jail on bond Saturday. According to officials, Jones is under electronic monitoring.Jones was convicted of killing Rhoda Nathan at a Blue Ash hotel in 1994.Last month Jones was granted a new trial by Judge Wende Cross.Jones was back in court Friday for a bond hearing. Cross gave him a $50,000 unsecured bond.Jones was not required to put any money down to get out of jail.“He's been in prison for like over 9,000 days for something he didn't do. So, it's just really exciting that he's going to be able to get out and spend time with family and be able to have the opportunity to prove his innocence,” said Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center program manager Bekky Baker.The IJPC supported Jones getting a new trial.“There were pages and pages upon evidence that was not given to the defense and a lot of what was defense team showcased was just the lack of evidence that was given to them,” Baker said.A new trial date has not yet been determined.Prosecutors sent out a statement Friday reacting to Jones’ bail.“Ten different courts have reviewed Elwood Jones’ conviction and upheld it. Every issue (other than the inadmissible, supposed “confession”) has been litigated by courts whose authority is binding over Judge Cross."It is shocking that a trial court believes they have the authority to ignore the direct orders of a superior court. Our criminal justice system cannot function if trial courts thwart the authority of the First District Court of Appeals, the Ohio Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, and the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals."And now, Judge Cross has released Elwood Jones from jail despite the fact that the Ohio Constitution states that those charged with capital offenses are not eligible for bail. The family of Rhoda Nathan and the people of Hamilton County deserve better than this.”
Elwood Jones, an Ohio inmate who has been on death row for nearly three decades, was released from Hamilton County jail on bond Saturday. According to officials, Jones is under electronic monitoring.
Jones was convicted of killing Rhoda Nathan at a Blue Ash hotel in 1994.
Last month Jones was granted a new trial by Judge Wende Cross.
Jones was back in court Friday for a bond hearing. Cross gave him a $50,000 unsecured bond.
Jones was not required to put any money down to get out of jail.
“He's been in prison for like over 9,000 days for something he didn't do. So, it's just really exciting that he's going to be able to get out and spend time with family and be able to have the opportunity to prove his innocence,” said Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center program manager Bekky Baker.
The IJPC supported Jones getting a new trial.
“There were pages and pages upon evidence that was not given to the defense and a lot of what was defense team showcased was just the lack of evidence that was given to them,” Baker said.
A new trial date has not yet been determined.
Prosecutors sent out a statement Friday reacting to Jones’ bail.
“Ten different courts have reviewed Elwood Jones’ conviction and upheld it. Every issue (other than the inadmissible, supposed “confession”) has been litigated by courts whose authority is binding over Judge Cross.
"It is shocking that a trial court believes they have the authority to ignore the direct orders of a superior court. Our criminal justice system cannot function if trial courts thwart the authority of the First District Court of Appeals, the Ohio Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, and the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.
"And now, Judge Cross has released Elwood Jones from jail despite the fact that the Ohio Constitution states that those charged with capital offenses are not eligible for bail. The family of Rhoda Nathan and the people of Hamilton County deserve better than this.”
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