Bond was denied during a pre-trial hearing and arraignment Tuesday morning in Polk County Superior Court of the man who allegedly gunned down a former police officer in early August.
John Paul Jones has been in jail ever since his arrest on August 6, when police say he fatally shot Michael Robinson outside of Jones’ home on Fair Oaks Road in Cedartown.
In the hearing, emotional testimony was heard from family members of Jones, including his wife, who spoke on his severe alcohol problem. After hearing numerous witnesses, Judge Michael Murphy denied bond and proceeded to arraign Jones on charges of malice murder, felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm while trying to commit crimes.
“We’re pleased with the judge’s decision to deny bond in the case given the testimony and the facts that came out in the hearing,” said District Attorney Jack Browning, who will be prosecuting the case.
He says he expects the case will swiftly move to trial by early December.
Jones was represented by a public defender in his bond hearing and arraignment. Judge Murphy said that the case will be one of the first to come to trial on his December calendar.