Evans wins first trial; jury finds Jones guilty

By Staff
Jason Houston FCT Managing Editor
Franklin County's new assistant district attorney Doug Evans got off to a good start last week, winning his first case in circuit court.
District Attorney Joey Rushing said a jury returned a guilty verdict against Michelle A. Jones, 25, of Russellville, on the charge of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance. The charge is a Class B felony, carrying a potential sentence of 2-20 years in prison. A sentencing hearing will take place at a date to be determined.
Jones was represented by attorney John Benn of the Shoals area.
Rushing said evidence presented at the trial indicated that Jones sold crack cocaine to an undercover informant on Feb. 19, 2003, at Nugent's Store on U.S. 43 just north of Russellville.
The case became one of "he said, she said," according to Evans.
Evans' main witnesses were the informant, Lt. Scotty Lowery, a drug investigator with the Russellville Police Department, and Capt. David Hester, an investigator with the RPD. Evans said Jones had given a confession to Hester, but later denied making the confession.