Gary, Indiana

From the Merrillville Post-Tribune of November 29, 2005

Woman won’t face charges in killing

The woman who shot and killed her brother in a violent struggle inside the mobile home they shared is not expected to be charged, police said Monday.

Christie Jones, 29, was questioned in the death of her brother, Donald Jones, 34, who was shot several times as he tried to attack her about 1 a.m. Friday, police said.

Homicide Squad Detective Jeff Hemphill presented evidence to the Lake County prosecutor Monday. The case is being reviewed, but officials said it appears the woman acted in self defense and will not be charged.

“He had started choking her and threw her around. He threw her into the room where she kept her gun,” Detective Cpl. Thomas Decanter said.

It was the second violent outburst by Donald Jones in less than 24 hours.

How and why he was set free after he had been caught stealing from a neighbor’s trailer, then threatened the resident with a knife is unclear.

Chief Garnett Watson said Monday the incident is being reviewed.

“Detective (Jervean) Gates told me it was a mistake,” Dan McDonald said Monday.

McDonald was the victim of a break-in Thursday who confronted Jones and a woman as they rifled through his belongings.

“He was in my home, he kicked in my door and tried to kill me,” McDonald said.

Police responded to Glenview Mobile Home Park twice Thursday before apprehending Jones, who fled from officers. McDonald said even after the man was handcuffed and inside the squad car, he continued to threaten McDonald.

“I don’t want to see anyone dead, but he was obviously crazy. If he had wrestled the gun away from her, he could have come to my house,” McDonald said.

Residents in the mobile home park said Jones returned to the area in a stolen pickup and was driving in circles in a nearby vacant lot. He tried to sell the truck to a neighbor, but during the discussion saw his sister return home and went to speak to her.

“Ten minutes later, he was shot,” McDonald said.

McDonald said he wants answers on how Jones was released from jail so quickly.

“I’m outraged,” he said. “He didn’t have a bond. They just took a report and let him go. I’m still in shock from all of this.”