The legal challenges stemming from a February car accident involving former UFC champion Jon Jones have taken a peculiar turn in New Mexico. While Jones was already facing a misdemeanor charge for allegedly leaving the scene, recent filings have introduced new layers of complexity, prompting a forceful response from his legal team.
According to court records, a second case was initiated against Jones on June 30. Curiously, this new complaint duplicated the original charge of leaving the scene of an accident. However, it also added a distinct charge: Use of Telephone to Terrify, Intimidate, Threaten, Harass, Annoy or Offend. This development essentially attempts to prosecute Jones under two separate cases for aspects of the same incident.
The incident in question dates back to February 21. Police responded to a two-vehicle collision. In one of the damaged cars, a woman was found exhibiting signs of significant intoxication and disarray. She reportedly identified Jon Jones as the driver of her vehicle at the time of the crash and stated he had left the scene on foot.
Further details from the initial police report describe the woman placing a call to Jones and allowing a police service aide to speak with him. The aide reported that Jones sounded heavily intoxicated and allegedly made unsettling statements that could be interpreted as threats or allusions to violence via third parties. When backup Officer Andrew Romero arrived and engaged in a separate phone conversation, similar vague but concerning remarks were reportedly made, with the person on the line seemingly evading direct confirmation of their identity as Jon Jones.
Jones later offered a different account to police, claiming the woman handed the phone to someone identified as an officer, but that this individual immediately used unprofessional language, causing Jones to doubt the caller`s legitimacy as law enforcement.
The subsequent investigation included subpoenaed phone records. These records indicated Jones called the woman involved in the accident 13 times in the hours following the crash. Additionally, a gap in his phone`s location data coincided with the approximate time of the accident.
Based on this investigation, the initial misdemeanor charge for leaving the scene was filed. Jones entered a not guilty plea, and a bench trial for this charge is currently scheduled for mid-August.
The filing of the second case, however, has become the focal point of the current legal maneuverings. Filed by Officer Romero, this complaint mirrors the original “leaving the scene” charge while introducing the aforementioned telephone charge.
In response, Jon Jones` attorney, Christopher Dodd, swiftly filed a motion on July 9 seeking the dismissal of this second case. The basis for the motion is straightforward and technical: the legal principle of mandatory joinder, which generally prohibits charging a defendant twice for the same conduct in separate cases.
“Put simply,” Dodd wrote in his filing, “Mr. Jones is already facing prosecution in a separate case for the same factual allegations set forth in the criminal complaint in this matter, and it was wholly improper for this separate case to be filed.” He argued that forcing Jones to defend himself against two cases based on the exact same underlying incident violates procedural rules.
The attorney didn`t pull punches, questioning whether the duplication was a result of poor communication between the Albuquerque Police Department detective and officer involved, or, more pointedly, if the officers intentionally violated the joinder rule for some “improper strategic purpose.” Either scenario, according to the defense, necessitates dismissal.
As of now, the case remains active, assigned to Judge Brittany Maldonado, who has not yet ruled on the motion to dismiss. The outcome of this motion will likely determine whether Jones faces one legal battle related to the February accident, or two simultaneous proceedings covering the same ground.
This legal entanglement adds another complex chapter to Jones` public life, which recently saw him announce retirement from MMA, only to hint at a potential comeback shortly thereafter. Regardless of his fighting status, his focus remains, at least partially, on navigating the New Mexico court system.
Marcus Blakely