Reynolds man found guilty of murder, sentenced to life in prison

27-year-old Anthony Jerome Jones was convicted March 6 for felony murder, aggravated assault, and terroristic threats in the Superior Court of Houston County, following a four-day jury trial.

HOUSTON COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Reynolds man was sentenced to life in prison for murder, according to Houston County District Attorney Eric Edwards.

Anthony Jerome Jones, 27, was convicted March 6 of felony murder, aggravated assault, and terroristic threats in the Superior Court of Houston County after a four-day jury trial. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole on March 7.

The charges stem from the shooting death of 19-year-old Demarion Harris on Oct. 13, 2023, according to the DA’s office.

Prosecutors say Jones entered a residence and shot Harris with a 9mm pistol while he was in bed. Two witnesses were in the room with Harris at the time, including Jones’ estranged wife.

Jones fled the scene and was on the run for two weeks before authorities found him at a residence in Thomaston.

The jury deliberated for about two hours before returning a verdict. The trial began March 3 and concluded March 6.

District Attorney Eric Edwards released the following statement:

“This is the second murder conviction in Houston County this week stemming from a domestic situation. Uncontrolled anger directed at domestic partners continues to take lives and leave families shattered. Anthony Jones made a deliberate choice to enter that home, gun in hand, and take the life of a young man who was laying in bed. His actions have now, thankfully, cost him his own freedom. I want to thank the Warner Robins Police Department for their dedicated work in tracking Jones down and bringing him to justice, as well as ADA Alicia Gassett and Chief ADA Greg Winters for their hard work in securing this conviction. My heart goes out to the family of Demarion Harris, and I hope that today’s verdict brings them some measure of justice.”

ADA Alicia Gassett released the following statement:

“I am thankful for the Warner Robins Police Department for doing an outstanding job investigating this case and bringing Jones to justice. I am thankful for our jurors who did their due diligence in listening to the evidence and reaching a verdict that held Jones accountable for taking the life of Demarion Harris. I hope and pray that this sentence will bring his family peace and closure.”