The Brief
- A judge will decide Leonard Jones’ fate whether he should remain in prison or get a lighter sentence.
- The DA is arguing Jones is dangerous and should serve out the remainder of his 59-year sentence for shooting a man in the ankle in 2013.
- Jones’ defense is arguing he is a changed, more mature man, and the judge must take into account his traumatic childhood as a mitigating factor.
OAKLAND, Calif. – The Alameda County District Attorney and the defense attorney for the longest-serving person at Santa Rita Jail are in a showdown over whether Leonard Jones has reformed and should be set free or is still a dangerous criminal and should finish out the remainder of his 59-year sentence for shooting a man in the ankle.
59 years vs. 15 years
The debate:
The two sides are scheduled to meet Friday morning before Alameda County Superior Court Judge Thomas Stevens, who will decide Jones’ fate.
Jones’ attorney, Daniel Shriro, is arguing that his 43-year-old client, who was convicted of a 2013 attempted murder, has spent long enough at Santa Rita Jail – 13 years – and should be resentenced to a maximum of 15 years in prison for his crime.…