The Commission on Capital Cases updates thisinformation regularly.  This information, however, is subject to changeand may not reflect the latest status of an inmate’s case and should not berelied upon for statistical or legal purposes. 

JONES, Marvin (B/M)

DC #   309567           

DOB: 07/21/65

Duval County Case, Fourth Judicial Circuit, Case # 93-2757

Sentencing Judge, Trial: The Honorable R. Hudson Olliff

Attorney, Trial: Frank J. Tassone and Refik Eler – Private

Attorney, Direct Appeal: Lynn A. Williams – Private

Attorney, Collateral Appeals: Robert Norgard – Registry

Date of Offense:        03/03/93

Date of Sentence:       05/31/94

Circumstances of Offense:

Marvin Jones bought a used car from San Pablo Motors’ owner,Ezra Harold Stow, in Jacksonville, Florida.  Jones returned the vehiclethe following month due to a “blown engine.” Jones and Stow established anagreement to rebuild the engine at a cost of $1,500.  Jones was to payStow $800 up front and finance the remainder of the balance.  After therepairs were done, Stow requested the $800, but instead Jones wrote Stow acheck for $4,200, which was the remaining amount owed for the car and the costof the repairs.  Jones then left in the repaired vehicle.

Jones wrote the check with the knowledge that he had bouncedsix other checks and only carried a balance of $5 in his checkingaccount.  The bank notified Stow that the check bounced.  Stow askedhis 22-year-old daughter, Monique Stow, to call Jones about the bouncedcheck.  Jones said that he would return to San Pablo Motors on March 3,1992, to give Stow the money. 

Jones arrived at the dealership at approximately 6:00 p.m.and entered the trailer where Stow’s office was located.  Jones said thathe had to get something from his car and returned with a .25 caliberpistol.  Jones shot Monique while she was washing her hands in the restroom. She was shot between the eyes and behind her left ear.  Upon hearing theshots, Stow reached for his gun.  Jones hurried into Stow’s office andaimed his gun towards Stow’s face.  As Jones fired the gun, Stow threw uphis arm.  The bullet went through his arm and nicked his head.  Stowcollapsed behind his desk because he went unconscious momentarily.  Joneswent around the desk and shot Stow a second time in the face.  The bulletentered his cheek, broke his jaw and was embedded in his neck.  Jones left,taking with him the papers for the car that were on Stow’s desk.  Due tohis injuries, Stow was incapable of speaking, yet prior to being taken to thehospital, he communicated through writing and gesturing that Jones was theperpetrator.  Stow survived, but his daughter, Monique, died late in thenight. 

Jones testified at trial that Stow agreed to hold the $4,200check until he deposited the money in his account.  Jones said that onMarch 3, he gave Stow $4,200 in cash, but Stow became angry and requestedanother $2,000.  Jones said that when Stow reached for his gun, he shotStow in self-defense.  Jones got ill at the sight of Stow and went to therestroom.  Jones stated that when he heard a noise in the bathroom, he wasstartled and shot Monique reflexively. 

Trial Summary:

03/18/93         Defendant indicted for the following:

                                   Count I:          First-Degree Murder

                                   Count II:         AttemptedFirst-Degree Murder

02/18/94         Defendant guilty on both counts

02/23/94         Jury recommended Death by a vote of 9-3

05/31/94         Defendant sentenced as follows:

                                   Count I:          First-Degree Murder – Death

                                   Count II:         AttemptedFirst-Degree Murder – Life sentence

Appeal Summary:

Florida Supreme Court - Direct Appeal

FSC #84,014

690 So. 2d 568

07/14/94         Appeal filed.

12/26/96         Conviction and sentence affirmed.

03/25/97         Rehearing denied.

04/24/97         Mandate issued.

United States Supreme Court - Petition for Writ ofCertiorari

USSC #97-5186

522 U.S. 880

06/23/97         Petition filed.

10/06/97         Petition denied.

State Circuit Court - 3.850 Motion

CC #93-2757

09/17/98         Motion filed.

01/23/04         Motion denied.

Florida Supreme Court – 3.850 Motion Appeal

FSC# 04-282

928 So. 2d 1178

02/25/04         Appeal filed.

04/13/06         FSC affirmed denial of motion.

05/04/06         Mandate issued.

Factors Contributing to the Delay in Imposition ofSentence:

No new court events since12/20/2007.

The 3.850 Motion waspending in the circuit court for five years.

Case Information:

The Direct Appeal wasfiled with the Florida Supreme Court on 07/14/94.  Issues that were raisedincluded whether the trial court erred in finding that the murder was committedfor pecuniary gain and whether the trial court erred in giving the standardjury instruction to define cold, calculated, and premeditated aggravatingcircumstance.  The Florida Supreme Court found all of the issues eitherharmless or without error and affirmed the conviction and sentence of Death on12/26/96. 

A Petition for a Writ ofCertiorari was filed with the United States Supreme Court on 06/23/97 anddenied on 10/06/97.

A 3.850 Motion was filedwith the state circuit court on 09/17/98 and was denied on 01/23/04.

A 3.850 Motion Appeal wasfiled with the Florida Supreme Court on 02/25/04, citing the following issues:ineffective assistance of counsel, denying a request to interview jurors, andloss of trial counsel’s files in a fire.  On 04/13/06, the FSC affirmedthe denial of the motion.    

Institutional Adjustment:

THE FOLLOWINGENTRIES REFLECT DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS AGAINST THE INMATE

FORVIOLATION OF THE RULE CITED AND INDICATE THE GAIN TIME DAYS LOST.

DATE    DAYS                  VIOLATION                                      LOCATION      

10/01/97     0                     FIGHTING                                         UNION C. I.        

01/07/00     0                     POSS OFCONTRABAND                UNION C. I.        

Report Date:  11/08/02          cc

Approved:      11/19/02          ws

Updated:        08/22/09          CAR