Linda Jones

Background

Linda Jones and Jack Jones had been married for nearly 30 years. They had two daughters and a dream home in Lake Asbury, Florida. After the girls left home, Linda took in a teenager from her office, Carrie, giving her a place in the Jones family.

Linda discovered that Jack and Carrie were having an affair. Linda threw the 17-year-old out of the house and demanded her husband stop seeing her. For a while, Linda’s marriage seemed back on track. Later, Linda discovered that Jack had put Carrie up in an apartment and had given the girl an engagement ring.

The offence

On November 7, 1995, Jack Jones was beaten to death during a home invasion robbery at his home on Lake Asbury. Linda Jones reported to police that three men came in, beat her husband, and robbed them.

Linda said the men had clubs or a bat and also took her husband’s gun. She said they were dressed in black and wore ski masks. She said she had been taped and could not get the tape off, and that she had blood all over her.

Thomas Waugh, the lead detective, arrived around 9:00 p.m. There were no signs of forced entry. There was evidence of a struggle in the foyer area. There was duct tape on the floor in the first bedroom down the hallway and rolled-up duct tape on the floor in the master bath. A purse and jewelry lay on the floor in the master walk-in closet along with Jack Jones’ wallet containing a $100 bill. Phones in two bedrooms were still intact. A bloody washcloth was in the sink in one of the bathrooms. In the garage, a piece of duct tape had been stuffed inside a cinder block that was part of the wall.

The medical examiner testified that Jack Jones died from blunt trauma. He suffered five or six severe blows to the head and eight severe blows to his back, as well as some less severe arm and leg injuries. The trunk injuries were caused by a cylindrical instrument. The head injuries could have been caused by a gun or some other object. The arm, leg, and back injuries would not have caused unconsciousness, but any of the blows to the back of the head very likely would have rendered him unconscious immediately, and he would have died fairly quickly thereafter. None of the blows was administered after he was dead.

Investigation

Arrests and indictments

On September 14, 1996, Linda Jones (the victim’s wife), Donald Bradley, Brian McWhite, and Patrick White were arrested for the murder.

On September 26, 1996, the Clay County Grand Jury indicted the four suspects.

Other crimes evidence and rulings

On August 5, 1997, the state filed a Notice of Other Crimes, Wrongs, or Acts Evidence, giving notice it intended to introduce evidence of other crimes. The notice included three crimes committed by Linda Jones in August and October of 1995: making false reports of two burglaries and one sexual assault. It also included two crimes (malicious injury to property and attempted burglary) committed by Linda Jones, Donald Bradley, Brian McWhite, Patrick McWhite, and Michael Clark on October 31, 1995.

On August 14, 1997, Bradley filed a Motion in Limine objecting to the introduction of this evidence. After a partial hearing on August 14, 1997, the state filed a proffer of evidence relating to the collateral crimes. The trial court heard additional argument on August 20, 1997, and denied the motion by written order on May 12, 1998.

On May 8, 1998, the state filed a Second Notice of Other Crimes, Wrongs, or Acts Evidence, giving notice it intended to introduce evidence of five additional crimes committed by Linda Jones: solicitation of Greg Green to kill Jack Jones; solicitation of Dwight Danahoo to kill Jack Jones; solicitation of Dwight Danahoo to beat up or kill Carrie Davis; harassing phone calls to Carrie Davis; and malicious injury of the property of Carrie Davis.

On May 11, 1998, the defense filed a Motion in Limine to the state’s Second Notice. After a hearing on May 19, 1998, the trial court excluded all the crimes except the October 31, 1995, phone calls.

On January 30, 1998, the defense filed an Amended Motion to Suppress Physical Evidence (Telephone Records). On April 28, 1998, the trial court held a hearing on the defendant’s motion, and it was denied by written order on May 12, 1998.

Trial evidence about calls and other incidents

The dispatcher received a 911 call from Linda Jones at 8:30 p.m. on November 7, 1995, reporting that her husband had been beaten and was bleeding to death.

Detective Waugh testified about a January 22, 1996 interview. On that date at 8:30 a.m., Waugh and Lieutenant Redmond went to Donald Bradley’s home with a warrant to seize Bradley’s van. Donald lived in the Loch Rane, a gated community. The family was having breakfast when they arrived. Donald’s wife, Valerie, was present during some of the conversation. Donald taped the conversation.

Waugh began by asking routine questions including date of birth, phone numbers, and employment history. Donald said he had two cell phones, one used by foremen Michael Clark and Brian McWhite, and the other a flip phone used by Donald. When asked where he was on November 7, 1995, Bradley could not recall but offered to pull out records to see his work schedule.

Waugh told Bradley that three phone calls had been made from Bradley’s cell phone to Linda Jones’ home the night of the murder at 7:35, 8:06, and 8:17 p.m. There was no entry for November 7 in Donald’s calendar. Waugh told Bradley that Linda Jones was lying about her involvement and that she was “knee-deep in the middle of this thing and she sucked other people knee-deep in” the situation. Waugh also said he had theories that either people went in there to teach Jack a lesson and things got out of hand or somebody went in there to teach him a lesson and Linda finished him off. Waugh said he thought Donald’s van was involved.

The state introduced summaries of phone records into evidence, including all phone calls from Linda Jones’ cell phone to Donald Bradley’s cell phone or home phone starting October 31, 1995, until July 10, 1996; all calls from Linda Jones’ cell phone on October 31, 1995; all calls from Donald’s cell phone on October 31, 1995; all calls from Linda Jones’ cell phone on November 7, 1995; all calls from Donald’s cell phone on November 7, 1995; and all calls from Donald’s cell phone to Linda’s home or cell phone or Gupton & Gupton, where she was employed.

Crime scene processing

Steve Leary, the FDLE analyst who processed the crime scene, collected two pieces of tape from next to Jack Jones’ body and sent them to the crime lab for latent prints. Dawn Walters, an FDLE print specialist, found a latent palm print on the tape, which she was unable to match after comparing it with prints from Jack Jones, Donald Bradley, Linda Jones, Patrick and Brian McWhite, Officer Yeager, Randolph Brunson, Richard Barrett, M. Carpenter, Steven Whitfield, and Cindy Bradley. Walters found prints on one other piece of tape sent: two fingerprints and a palmprint belonging to Brian McWhite.

Leary used Luminol. Leary explained that luminol reveals blood even if blood has been cleaned up or is invisible to the eye, and that other things cause luminescence such as rust or metal or vegetable materials. Luminol revealed blood in the Jones’ house where it could not be seen. Luminol detected blood on a washcloth found in the shower in the master bathroom.

Leary found a pattern of stains on the foyer floor and carpet. A repetitive pattern like the heel-mark of a shoe was repeated ten or fifteen times going down the hallway. In the den, where the body was found, there was a crowbar-shaped pattern about twenty-seven inches long with a curve on one end, about five inches wide. A similar but smaller pattern was found in the foyer: fifteen inches long and repeated twice as if laid down, picked up, and laid down again.

A positive reaction was found on the driver’s seat and the back of the passenger seat in the teal Buick parked in the garage. Luminol testing of Donald’s van came back negative.

Leary said it was harder to clean blood out of a carpet or fabric than off tile or linoleum. On cross-examination, Leary said all pieces of duct tape found in the Jones’ house were from the same roll, including the rolled-up ball found inside the cinder block in the garage.

A witness described seeing a maroon 1994 or 1995 Nissan van with lights off passing at high rate of speed around 8:30 p.m. on the night Jack Jones was murdered, and police appeared around 9:30 p.m. The witness gave a statement around 9:30 p.m.

Witness testimony about conduct

Brian McWhite testified that he was 21 at the time of the homicide and working for Bradley in Bradley’s landscaping business. Brian described a plan with Donald Bradley involving beating up a man. Brian said Donald told the McWhites they would pretend to be the girl’s boyfriend and tell the husband to quit seeing the girl. Brian described going to WalMart to buy ski masks and placing calls to Linda Jones to determine if Jack Jones was home. Brian said they were dressed in black and wore masks and gloves, with duct tape from the van.

Brian described entering through the front door and having Donald go through a side door. Brian described that Jack Jones saw them, asked Brian who he was, and rushed at Brian swinging. Brian said Patrick said, “I got him,” and Donald hit Mr. Jones in the head with a stick. Brian described Donald pulling out a gun and attempting to shoot it; Brian said it would not fire. Brian described that Donald told Brian to go to the room and take something, and that Brian took money and jewelry from a back room. Brian described duct tape being used on Linda Jones and that before leaving Donald cut the tape on Linda Jones’ hands with a small knife.

Brian described that at Donald’s instruction Brian and Patrick tore the kitchen phone off the wall and threw it into the sink. Brian described driving off with van lights off and cleaning up afterward. Brian said Donald told them if Mr. Jones died they would be in big trouble and could not tell anyone. Brian described clothes being burned in a burn barrel and that he ultimately got caught because of a fingerprint left after he took off his glove.

On cross-examination, Brian said he did not hear Donald call anyone to ask for directions. Brian said Donald used a flip phone not a bag phone. Brian said he did not remember Donald calling Michael Clark or telling him what Clark said. Brian said he did not remember Donald calling someone named “Sis” or calling Cindy Bradley. Brian said he did not remember telling Detective Waugh he hit Jack Jones two or three times, and that he took off his glove because he got hit on the arm. Brian said he took the other glove off later because he wanted to get caught. Brian said he was scared because Donald was “hitting me and I got tripped out,” and that he thought Donald was “going to like start shooting everybody.” Brian said he did not remember telling Waugh that Valerie came into the garage and walked around while they cleaned up, and he never told Waugh that Valerie washed the clothes that night.

Patrick McWhite testified that he was 17 at the time of the homicide and attending Orange Park High School. Patrick described his brother asking him if he wanted to make some money, and Brian saying they were going to “jump this guy” meaning beat him up. Patrick described Donald providing gloves and the stick, and they stopped at WalMart to buy ski masks. Patrick testified Donald called someone on his cell phone for directions and that he heard Donald say “Sis” a couple of times.

Patrick described entry into the house, including that the front door would be open and told Patrick and Brian where to go to avoid floodlights. Patrick described Donald retrieving a pistol from the kitchen and that they started throwing punches until Donald struck Jack Jones in the back of the head with the butt of the gun. Patrick described Jack Jones falling down and being dragged into another room, with more blows exchanged. Patrick described Donald hitting with the gun and kicking, taking the stick from Patrick and telling Patrick to find something to take.

Patrick described that Mrs. Jones was on a stair. Patrick described that he went over to her when Donald told him to shut her up; he described her flopping to the floor and that Donald threw Patrick the tape and he taped her mouth. Patrick described finding $13 and some jewelry in the master bedroom, and later taping Jack Jones’ hands. Patrick described a time when Donald clicked the gun to Jack Jones’ head but it did not go off. Patrick described that Donald cut the tape before they left and Patrick described hearing Donald say, “I think I killed him,” on the way back to Donald’s house.

On cross-examination, Patrick said Donald offered him $250. Patrick said he was 6'2" and weighed 250 pounds. Patrick described grabbing old football gloves to avoid hurting his hands and said the plan was to beat him up, not kill him. Patrick said ski masks were worn so the man would not recognize them. Patrick described he may have hit the man once.

Mark Cornett testified as an Orange Park police officer and family friend of the McWhites. Cornett described having grown up with the boys’ father, Eddy, and having a special relationship with Patrick including taking him fishing, hunting, and to football games. Cornett testified his department was not involved in the Jones murder and that he did not know anything about it except what he had read in the newspaper. Cornett testified that on September 14, 1996, the sheriff asked him to help with Brian’s arrest and they arrested Brian around 5 a.m., and Cornett stayed until 8 a.m. Cornett testified that Detective Waugh later asked Cornett to bring Eddy McWhite to Green Cove Springs, which Cornett did. Cornett testified that Eddy called and said Patrick had something to tell him; Cornett described bringing Patrick to Green Cove Springs, reading him his rights, turning him over to Waugh, and telling Waugh what Patrick said.

Michael Clark testified that he was working for Donald in November 1995 and that he got the job from Donald’s sister, Cindy Bradley, who lived across the street from Clark’s parents. Clark described that on November 7, 1995, his parents had a birthday party for him around 7:30 or 8:00 p.m., and Brian and Donald called him, wished him a happy birthday, and asked if he wanted to come hang out. Clark described Donald mentioning going to Lake Asbury. Clark also described Donald calling for birthday events and later calls.

Jill Jones testified that her father carried a gun and that when he got home he would put the gun down on an island in the kitchen.

Janice Cole testified that she had known Linda Jones since second grade and Jack Jones since junior high. She was the maid of honor at their wedding, and the families did things together. Cole testified that on either November 6 or 7, 1995, Linda called Janice and said she was not getting a divorce and that she had already told Janice about Jack’s affair. Cole testified that Linda was upset about money problems, that Jack had been buying things for Carrie including a diamond ring, and that Linda told Janice Jack would be home that evening or the next to talk about bills and finances. Cole testified that Linda said she could take a gun and kill Jack and get away with it because of everything that had happened. Cole testified that when Janice told Linda she was crazy and that there was life after divorce, Linda responded about losing $500,000 in life insurance if she got a divorce, and Linda said she “wasn’t going to fat and forty alone.” Cole testified that Linda said, “Oh, I thought you meant something else,” when Janice said she knew a good man, Lacey Mayhan, a lawyer.

Janice Cole testified Jack Jones had a life insurance policy worth $125,000 established in 1992 and that Jack Jones had a company policy at Key Buick worth $175,000 with a double indemnity clause. Cole testified that Linda Jones was the beneficiary of both policies.

Carrie Davis testified that she began working for Linda Jones in October 1994, moved in with Linda and her husband in February, and moved out in July 1995 about a week after she and Jack got involved. Davis testified Linda found out about the affair the day Carrie moved out and was very angry. Carrie and Jack planned to marry, and they leased an apartment in both their names. Carrie testified that Jack usually came over in the mornings around 5:30 a.m., they would have lunch together, then he would come over after work and stay until 6:30 or 7:00. Davis testified that Jack bought her a wedding set on October 13, 1995. Carrie testified that on October 31, 1995, Jack left her apartment around 8:30 p.m. Davis testified she received harassing phone calls from Linda Jones before and after he left. Davis testified that after Jack left, some adults knocked on the door. Davis testified she called 911. Davis testified that the next day her car windows were busted and the brake lines were cut.

Valerie Bradley testified that she and Donald had been married since 1994 and had five children: his three, her one, and one together. Valerie testified Donald owned a landscaping and lawn maintenance business. Valerie testified about the events on November 7, 1995, describing Donald going to work, contacting her to open the garage and clear kids’ toys, and about Cindy Bradley coming around 7 p.m. Valerie described a plan to watch a movie and that Donald left around 8:00 and was back ten to fifteen minutes before the movie started. Valerie testified she did not see Patrick or Brian McWhite that night.

Valerie testified on cross-examination about their income and tax returns, including that Linda did everyone in the family’s tax returns and that Valerie helped get documents and kept the books. Valerie testified she was presently under arrest, charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder, and that she had been arrested the same day as Donald.

Cindy Bradley’s videotaped deposition was presented. Cindy Bradley testified she was 41 years old at the time and terminally ill. Cindy ran a lawn maintenance business with Evans Howard. Cindy testified that at the time of Jack Jones’ murder she and Linda Jones were best friends and saw each other every day and talked on the phone several times a day. She testified that Cindy had use of a cell phone in Evans Howard’s name with a number and that the phone was not working on November 7, 1995, so Cindy used Donald’s phone that day.

Cindy testified that she placed the first call to Gupton & Gupton where Linda Jones worked, and Linda was busy so she never spoke to her. Cindy testified that a call to Donald’s house could have been placed by either her or Donald. Cindy testified that a 6:53 p.m. call could have been Donald calling Valerie to get the kids’ junk out of the driveway, and that a 6:57 p.m. call would have been Cindy calling Valerie as a joke. Cindy testified that she made the 7:35 p.m. call to Linda’s home but got the answering machine and dialed Linda’s car phone without making contact. Cindy testified she was probably on her way to a Bible study meeting in Middleburg. Cindy testified that at 7:53 p.m. she called Michael Clark and spoke to her older daughter Katisha. Cindy testified that at 7:55 p.m. she called her home, probably calling her mom and her youngest daughter Ginger on her way home from Bible study. Cindy testified that at 8:06 p.m. she called Linda again without making contact and also made the next call to Linda. Cindy testified she made calls at 8:39 p.m. and 8:50 p.m. to Donald’s house but got the answering machine. Cindy testified she dropped the phone off the next day after learning Jack was killed.

On cross-examination, Cindy testified the Bible study usually lasted from 7:00 or 7:15 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. but may have been only twenty minutes that night. Cindy testified she called Michael Clark not long after she got to the Bible study. Cindy testified Donald did not call and ask for directions that night.

Other testimony included Katisha Gussman describing that she was at Michael Clark’s parents’ home on November 7, 1995, for Michael’s birthday party and that her mother called and talked to Michael and then to her.

Cletis Watson, a public defender investigator, testified that he drove from the McWhites’ house on Railroad Avenue to the victim’s home on Lake Asbury along two routes, and described the longer route as taking 218 to Blanding Boulevard for twenty-two miles.

Detective Waugh testified that when he talked to Patrick and Brian McWhite on September 14, one or both said that after they got back to Donald’s house, Valerie came out into the garage while they were cleaning up. Detective Waugh testified Patrick said he hit Jones with a fist and that Brian said he hit Jones a couple or three times.

Trial

Separate trials and pleas of accomplices

Linda Jones and Donald Bradley were tried separately. The McWhite brothers pled guilty to third-degree murder and were sentenced to ten and a half years in prison.

Defence and prosecution positions

Prosecutors argued that Linda Jones, angry over her husband’s affair, hired Bradley to kill her husband.

Motions and phase scheduling

The guilt phase of Bradley’s trial was held May 18–22, 1998. Bradley’s motions for judgment of acquittal were denied. On May 22, 1998, the jury returned a verdict of guilty as charged on all counts. On May 23, 1998, Bradley filed a Motion for New Trial, which was denied.

The penalty phase was held May 29, 1998. The state presented one witness. The defense presented twelve live witnesses and two by videotape. The jury recommended the death penalty by a 10 to 2 vote. The trial court held a Spencer hearing on June 18, 1998, and heard argument regarding the appropriate sentence. The state and defense submitted sentencing memoranda.

The defense submitted portions of the transcript of Linda Jones’ trial, and the trial judge incorporated by reference the remaining portions of the Linda Jones’ transcript.

Verdict and sentence for Linda Jones

With the testimony of the accomplices, the jury convicted Linda and sentenced her to life in prison.

Other contextual information about Bradley trial

The court found four aggravating factors for Bradley: cold, calculated, and premeditated; heinous, atrocious, and cruel; felony murder (burglary); and pecuniary gain. The court found two statutory mitigating factors: no significant history of prior criminal activity and Bradley’s age of 36. The court found six non-statutory mitigators, including achievements in adult life after overcoming a chaotic childhood and dysfunctional family life; that he was a good provider and father for his wife and children and loves his family and is loved by them; that he was a hard worker; that he unselfishly helped other people inside and outside of his family; and that he showed sincere religious faith.

Bradley was sentenced to concurrent thirty-year prison terms on the remaining counts.

Sentencing

Linda Jones was sentenced to life in prison on November 6, 1997.

Appeals

There were references to the Supreme Court of Florida case caption for Donald Bradley: “IN THE SUPREME COURT OF FLORIDA DONALD BRADLEY, Appellant, v. STATE OF FLORIDA, Appellee. Case No. 93,373 STATEMENT OF THE CASE.”

Outcome

Linda Jones was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Donald Bradley received the death penalty.

Timeline

• November 7, 1995 — Jack Jones was killed in his home on Lake Asbury during a purported home invasion robbery; Linda Jones made a 911 call at 8:30 p.m.
• September 14, 1996 — Linda Jones, Donald Bradley, Brian McWhite, and Patrick White were arrested for the murder.
• September 26, 1996 — The Clay County Grand Jury indicted the four suspects.
• August 5, 1997 — The state filed a Notice of Other Crimes, Wrongs, or Acts Evidence.
• August 14, 1997 — Bradley filed a Motion in Limine objecting to the introduction of the evidence.
• August 20, 1997 — The trial court heard additional argument regarding the motion.
• May 12, 1998 — The trial court denied the motion by written order.
• May 8, 1998 — The state filed a Second Notice of Other Crimes, Wrongs, or Acts Evidence.
• May 11, 1998 — The defense filed a Motion in Limine to the state’s Second Notice.
• May 19, 1998 — The trial court excluded all crimes except the October 31, 1995 phone calls.
• May 18–22, 1998 — The guilt phase of Bradley’s trial was held.
• May 22, 1998 — The jury returned a verdict of guilty as charged on all counts in Bradley’s trial.
• May 23, 1998 — Bradley filed a Motion for New Trial, which was denied.
• May 29, 1998 — The penalty phase of Bradley’s trial was held.
• June 18, 1998 — The trial court held a Spencer hearing.
• June 25, 1998 — The trial court sentenced Bradley to death.
• November 6, 1997 — Linda Jones was sentenced to life in prison.

Other details

Linda Jones and Donald Bradley had separate trials. The trial court excluded certain other crimes evidence except the October 31, 1995 phone calls. The jury in Bradley’s penalty phase recommended the death penalty by a 10 to 2 vote.