Dennis Jones | Homicide Watch Chicago

Man found not guilty of killing his brother, Dennis Jones, at 2104 family party on Christmas Day

Jeff Mayes — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 17:41:59 -0500

By JORDAN OWEN
Chicago Sun-Times Wire

Lorenzo Jones | Cook County Sheriff's Dept.

An Iowa man has been found not guilty of fatally shooting his brother, Dennis Jones, at a family party on the West Side on Christmas Day in 2014.
Lorenzo Jones was found not guilty of murder Friday after a two-day jury trial before Judge Diane Gordon Cannon, according to Cook County court records.

The family had gathered for a Christmas party at a relative’s home in the 1900 block of South Trumbull about 6 p.m. Dec. 25, 2014, prosecutors alleged.

Dennis Jones | Facebook

Prosecutors said Lorenzo Jones, 29, and his two brothers had been involved in an ongoing dispute over the care of their recently deceased mother. On Christmas night, Lorenzo Jones was at the party when the 52-year-old Dennis Jones and his 42-year-old brother pulled up.

Prosecutors claimed Lorenzo Jones fired at them, striking the older brother in the chest and leg. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he died at 8:22 p.m. The younger brother was shot in the leg and was also treated at Mount Sinai.

Lorenzo Jones, of the 800 block of Benton Court in Iowa City, Iowa, was arrested in Iowa in January 2015 and charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery with discharge of a firearm, authorities said.

He was released immediately from the Cook County Jail, where he had been held since his arrest without bond, according to the sheriff’s office.

Daughter: Slain father Dennis Jones, 52, was a 'jokester'

Michael Lansu — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 13:45:18 -0600

Dennis Jones / Photo from Facebook

BY CHANTELLE NAVARRO
Homicide Watch Chicago

Dennis Jones spent Christmas Day making pizza and watching television with his daughter.

The 52-year-old Austin neighborhood resident was shot dead later that night during a domestic dispute at his sister's North Lawndale home.

Prosecutors said Jones and his two brothers had gotten into an ongoing dispute over the care of their recently deceased mother. On Christmas night, one of the brothers, 29-year-old Lorenzo Jones, opened fire during a family gathering in the 1900 block of South Trumbull Avenue -- killing Dennis Jones and wounding his 42-year-old brother, prosecutors said.

Lorenzo Jones, of Iowa City, was charged with first-degree murder and is being held without bond while he awaits trial.

Earlier that day, Dennis Jones and his daughter, 25-year-old Denise Jones, watched "Roots" and discussed the mini-series and slavery.

“The last thing he said to me was, ‘Baby call me when you get the chance, I love you,’” Denise Jones said.

Dennis Jones had served 17 years in prison and was released about a year ago, according to his daughter, who said he was attending church and was looking for a job.

Denise Jones said her father tried to make up for lost time with his family. She said he would frequently cook meals for her, give her relationship advice and encourage her to achieve her life goals.

Denise Jones says one of the things she will remember most about her father is his personality.

“He was a jokester. He always liked to play around and talk,” Denise Jones said.

Prosecutors: Lorenzo Jones fatally shot brother on Christmas after dispute over sick mother

Michael Lansu — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 15:41:01 -0600

Lorenzo Jones / Photo from Chicago Police

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

An Iowa man killed one brother and wounded another during a Christmas Day shooting at a relative's North Lawndale home.

The family had gathered for a Christmas party at a relative's home in the 1900 block of South Trumbull Avenue despite an ongoing dispute among the brothers about the treatment of their sick mother, who died about a month earlier, prosecutors said.

When 29-year-old Lorenzo Jones arrived, family members heard him say there were too many "phony people" at the party and if his brothers showed up he was going to kill them, prosecutors said. He then went to a van parked down the street.

When Dennis Jones and his 42-year-old brother pulled up about 6 p.m., Lorenzo Jones exited the van with an AK 47 and screamed "body bitch," prosecutors said.

Lorenzo Jones walked towards the house, entered the front gate and opened fire, prosecutors said.

Dennis Jones, 52, of the 4900 block of West Augusta Boulevard, was shot in the chest and leg, authorities said. He was declared dead hours later at Mount Sinai Hospital.

Dennis Jones / Photo from Facebook

The 42-year-old brother was shot in the leg and took himself to Mount Sinai Hospital, police said.

Lorenzo Jones, of the 800 block of Benton Court in Iowa City, was arrested in Iowa and later charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery for the discharge of a firearm, authorities said.

Lorenzo Jones pleaded guilty to robbery in 2005, and has numerous out of county convictions, including one for felony battery in 2008, prosecutors said.

On Wednesday, Judge James Brown ordered Lorenzo Jones held without bond.

-- Contributing: Rummana Hussain

Dennis Jones, 52, killed in North Lawndale domestic shooting

Michael Lansu — Fri, 26 Dec 2014 19:02:50 -0600

A 52-year-old man was killed in a Christmas Day domestic shooting that left another man wounded in the North Lawndale community.

Dennis Jones was and a 42-year-old man were shot in the 1900 block of South Trumbull Avenue about 6 p.m. authorities said.

Jones, of the 4900 block of West Augusta Boulevard, was shot in the chest and leg, authorities said. He was declared dead at 8:22 p.m. Thursday at Mount Sinai Hospital.

The other man was shot in the leg and took himself to Mount Sinai Hospital, police said.

After the shooting, a male relative thought to be the gunman fled in a blue vehicle, police said.

Nobody has been charged with murder.

Area Central detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire