Jones' trial for death of Eric Tonche has been delayed
Editor's note: In a previous version of this online story, the date of the trial was misstated. The trial has been delayed, according to Taylor County courthouse records. We apologize for any confusion.
Marvin Kyree Jones Jr., 21, is expected to stand trial for murder in connection with the death of Eric Tonche. The alleged street shooting took place May 10, 2023.
But his trial has been delayed until the status of his attorney has been sorted out because his defense attorney has withdrawn. An attorney status hearing is set for July 26. No new trial date was set as of Thursday morning.
Jones Jr. was free Thursday from the Taylor County Jail on $750,000 in total bonds, according to online jail records.
Multiple gunshots fired
The shooting occurred in the 1500 block of Capitol Avenue in northwest Abilene, according to allegations in court documents. On May 10, 2023, Tonche and Rolando Solis were in a vehicle together when they were contacted by Marvin Jones Sr. with whom "Solis had recent issues.”
According to an eyewitness, Tonche and Solis then proceeded to exit their vehicle and get into a physical altercation with Jones Sr. At that time, Marvin Kyree Jones Jr. exited a home on the block and allegedly discharged a firearm in Tonche and Solis’ direction. Jones Jr. allegedly struck Tonche multiple times.
Solis then fled the scene on foot and was later contacted by police. Solis was able to positively identify Jones Jr. as the alleged shooter.
At this point, Jones Jr. went in and out of multiple houses on the street and ended up leaving with a child in a white or gray sedan as described by the eyewitness. This witness later "positively identified the shooter in this case."
Possible punishments if convicted
Anyone charged with a crime is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Jones Jr. faces multiple charges related to the alleged shooting and fleeing of the scene with a child. On July 20, 2023, an indictment of Jones Jr. on three separate counts was filed in Taylor County.
According to court documents, the grand jurors believe that Jones Jr. intentionally and knowingly caused Tonche's death.
Taylor County Assistant District Attorney Dan Joiner said Jones could face five-99 years or life in prison for that first-degree murder charge.
Marvin Kyree Jones Jr. additionally faces a third-degree felony charge of evading arrest and a second-degree felony charge of child endangerment, facing two-20 years or two-10 years respectively.
Although Jones Jr.'s arrest sheet includes several charges of evading arrest, he has made $750,000 bail.
Joiner said there are few circumstances in which a suspect would be denied bail, despite the allegations of numerous attempts at evading arrest.
Recent sheriff candidate, Elias Carrasquillo Jr., contends this death was related to deputies in the Taylor County Sheriff's Department.
Those claims remain unfounded and unproven. Jones Jr. is the only suspect charged in this case. Reporter-News will be following this trial closely to see if any of Carrasquillo's claims come to light.
More: One man shot to death, another shot critically an hour apart Wednesday
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Abilene man accused of murdering Eric Tonche expected to stand trial
