30 April 2023 :
(April 28, 2023) - Marion County Judge Anthony Tatti formally sentenced Michael Wayne Jones to death.
In November, Michael Wayne Jones admitted killing his wife, Casei, and the 4 children they shared: Cameron Bowers, 9; his brother, Preston Bowers, 4; and sisters Mercalli Jones, 2; and 11-month-old Aiyana Jones.
2 months later, a jury unanimously recommended that Jones be put to death. And after that, the 41-year-old Summerfield man declined the opportunity to make one final attempt at seeking mercy from the judge who would sentence him.
On Friday, during a hearing at the Marion County Judicial Center in Ocala, Circuit Judge Anthony Tatti sentenced Jones to death for the deaths of the four children. He was sentenced to life in prison for the death of his wife.
Since Jones pleaded guilty, there was no need for a traditional trial. The court moved right to the penalty phase, where a jury was presented evidence and testimony and asked to recommend either the death penalty or life in prison.
Executive Assistant Public Defender John Spivey was assisted by Morris Carranza and Amanda Sizemore. The defense argued that Jones' poor family life as a child, his mental health issues, and other significant psychological problems were a road map for his actions. They wanted life in prison for Jones.
Assistant State Attorneys Amy Berndt and Rich Buxman prosecuted the case. They said several aggravating factors in the case made the death penalty the appropriate punishment.
