IN LOVING MEMORY OF DAKOTA JONES (MARCH 17, 1993 TO AUGUST 11, 2013)

            Let us remember Dakota Jones who was murdered by Scottie Thompson on August 11, 2013. Sadly, Thompson was a recidivist murderer who was paroled after his first murder. We hope Illinois one day will restore the death penalty.

 

Dakota C. Jones

(March 17, 1993 to August 11, 2013)

Recidivist Murderer, Scottie Thompson

INTERNET SOURCE: http://www.kmov.com/news/local/Convicted-murderer-accused-of-killing-again-while-wearing-ankle-monitor--219510531.html

Convicted murderer accused of killing again while wearing ankle monitor

by Lauren Trager / News 4

KMOV.com

Posted on August 13, 2013 at 10:46 PM

Updated yesterday at 8:08 AM

(KMOV) -- Scottie Thompson, 42, is already a convicted murderer. But he was let out of prison 20 years early, and just months after his release, he’s accused in another brutal murder.

But because Thompson was convicted of murder in 1989, he and other murderers are exempt from those laws. The Illinois Parole Board allowed him to get out after serving just 24 of his 45-year sentence.

“They let him out on parole and he came and stole my son from me,” said Sharon Roberts.

Roberts can’t believe her 20-year-old son, Dakota Jones, is gone.

“It’s hurting because of the way they found my child, he just through my child out there like he was nobody,” she said.

On Sunday, Jones’ body was found by fishermen on the north shore of Horseshoe Lake in Madison County.  The coroner said he’d been badly beaten and his body was dumped.

On Tuesday, Thompson, a man Jones had just met, was charged for the murder.

“He was on parole from the Department of Corrections,” said Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons.

Gibbons said under Illinois’ newer “truth in sentencing” laws, murderers must serve 100% of their sentence but the laws didn’t apply to Thompson.

He was let out in February 2013 and was on ankle monitor at the time of the recent murder.

“Do you think this murder could have been prevented if he had still been in prison?” asked News 4 Reporter Lauren Trager.

“I think had he still been in prison, and sentenced under the laws today, absolutely, these two would never have met,” Gibbons said.

Roberts believes the justice system failed. She said Thompson took away her son’s bright future.

“He should never have got out, they should never have released him,” Roberts said.

News 4 couldn’t reach the Department of Corrections for their comment.

 

Dakota C. Jones

(March 17, 1993 to August 11, 2013)

[PHOTO SOURCE: http://www.officerfh.com/memsol.cgi?user_id=1067416#]

PRECIOUS MEMORIES OF DAKOTA JONES:

Dakota C. Jones was born in Los Angeles, California on March 17, 1993, to Eugene and Sharon Jones. He was the fourth of seven children born to this union. His paternal grandparents, Eugene Jones and Raymond McGull preceded him in death.

In 1995, Dakota moved with his family to East St. Louis, Illinois and attended District #189 Public Schools. In 2012, Dakota graduated from the GED Program and obtained employment with the CMMS Company of St. Louis, Missouri.

Dakota received his spiritual training at Gospel Feast Pentecostal Church. He, along with his siblings, attended Sunday School and Morning Worship Services. He really enjoyed the singing.

Dakota, fondly known as “Co-Co”, was notorious for telling funny jokes (to make laughter) and rapping. He also had a passion for cars. Dakota made a special effort to bring laughter into the lives of his family and friends. He took great pride in playing the role of “big brother” to his only sister, “baby girl” Brittany. He was a loving and devoted son and brother, and will be greatly missed by his entire family and friends.

Dakota departed this life on Sunday, August 11, 2013.

He leaves to cherish his memory: loving and devoted parents, Eugene and Sharon Jones; 5 brothers, Rodney & Raymon Roberts, Eugene Jr., Tevin and Kendal Jones; one sister, Brittany Jones, all of Cahokia, IL.; paternal grandparent, Imogene Jones, maternal grandparents; Jerry (Ruby) Jackson, Ella (Lyle) Thadison, of Chicago, IL; great-grandparents, Robert and Mattie Johnson of Washington Park, IL.; uncles, Adam & Allen Hampton, Timothy & Anthony Jackson, Lyndale & Raphael Roberts, Allen Bell, and Maurice Thadison; aunts, Yolanda Yarbrough, Patrice Jones, Vernitras Singleton, Sherry Roberts, Rockell Roberts, Shontavea Roberts, Laura Hunt, Adrienne Jackson, all of the Chicago-metro area; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.