Defendant Convicted of Murder During Marijuana Deal

DATE: May 6, 2021

CASE: Michael Terrell Jones (Case #17FE012470)

PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Aaron Miller, Homicide Unit

Michael Terrell Jones was convicted by a jury of the second-degree murder of Manuel Tellez and being a felon in possessing of a firearm.  The jury also found true the allegation that Jones personally used a firearm causing death.

On July 3, 2017, the victim drove to an apartment complex in Elk Grove intending to sell marijuana to Jones.  The victim was seated in the driver’s seat of his van when Jones entered the back seat.  Soon after, Jones began shooting at the victim.  The victim returned fire with his own handgun, striking Jones multiple times.  The victim died at the scene.  Jones fled to a hospital for medical assistance, discarding his gun on the way.  Later when Jones was in custody, detectives from the Elk Grove Police Department heard Jones on a phone call describing the location of the discarded firearm.  Detectives immediately went to search for the gun, which was located by a K-9 officer.

Jones faces a maximum sentence of 40 years to life in prison.  Sentencing is set for June 4, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. in Department 27 before the Honorable Steven Gevercer.

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