A Columbia County woman initially charged with murder in her mother’s death pleaded guilty Thursday, Aug. 11 to involuntary manslaughter.
Anita Jones, 67, has been held in jail since 2020 following her arrest in the July 25, 2020, death of her 85-year-old mother, Mary Reed. Reed died in the hospital five days after Jones pushed her and the elderly woman fell.
Assistant District Attorney Amber Brantley reduced the charge against Jones because there was no evidence Jones intended to cause her mother’s death. But she did commit a battery on Reed and the battery led to her death, and the manslaughter charge was based on that misdemeanor offense.
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Reed’s death and Jones arrest has split the family. Reed’s brother and his children believed Jones should have been prosecuted as originally charged. Brantley read their letters and emails to the judge Thursday. Other family members, including Reed’s other two daughters supported Jones.
Defense attorney Tom McCants said Thursday that there were other factors involved in Reed’s death, and there is a possibility of a civil lawsuit over the medical treatment she received after the fall, and Reed’s preexisting medical condition.
“It was a horrific tragedy,” Judge Sheryl B. Jolly said. She accepted Jones’ plea to the reduced charge, noting there was no agreement presented as to the sentence. Involuntary manslaughter is punishable by one to 10 years.
Jolly sentenced Jones to five years in prison followed by five years on probation.
Jones will get credit for the two years she has been jailed since her arrest.
Sandy Hodson is a staff reporter covering courts for The Augusta Press. Reach her at sandy@theaugustapress.com.
