LEONARDTOWN, MD (October 16, 2026) – State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced today that David Scott Jones, 59, and Djhonna Mari Jones, 47, of Lexington Park, Maryland, were convicted of first-degree murder and related charges in connection with the killing of a St. Mary’s County man.
An investigation by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office revealed that on October 27, 2025, a victim arrived at the defendants’ home in Lexington Park to give one of the occupants a ride to work. After the individual got into the victim’s vehicle, the victim attempted to back out of the driveway. At that point, another vehicle arrived and blocked his vehicle from exiting.
David Jones exited the second vehicle and started a verbal altercation with the victim, demanding that he get out of his car. The victim exited his vehicle and asked David Jones to move his vehicle, but Jones refused.
Djhonna Jones then exited their vehicle, went inside the residence, retrieved a loaded firearm, and handed it to her husband, David Jones, who is prohibited from possessing firearms. A physical altercation ensued. As the victim attempted to retreat, David Jones shot him multiple times, killing him.
“This encounter never should have escalated to such violence. The victim was simply trying to help someone get to work when he was met with an immediate death sentence,” said State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling. “I am grateful to the law enforcement and prosecution teams who worked tirelessly to obtain justice for the victim’s family. However, there is nothing that can make this loss any less devastating for the people who knew and loved the victim.”
In June of this year, David Jones pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and firearm use in the commission of a crime of violence. This week, Djhonna Jones was found guilty of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and related firearm charges following a two-day bench trial.
David Jones faces a maximum sentence of LIFE plus 20 years in prison. Djhonna Jones faces a maximum sentence of LIFE plus 25 years in prison.
Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Donna Pettersen and Assistant State’s Attorney Shaye Reynolds prosecuted the cases on behalf of the citizens of St. Mary’s County.
Corporal Andrew Burgess of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office was the lead investigator.
The Honorable Joseph Stanalonis presided over the cases.
