When John Jones didn’t show up for work Aug. 29, 2019, those who knew him knew it was a bad sign.
“John would not miss a day of work,” said Rodriques Walker, the last person to see Jones alive when he dropped the 55-year-old man at the home of John Daniels.
Walker worked with Jones at Villa Europa.
On Aug. 28, 2019, Jones asked to ride with Walker to cash his check. After that, Walker took Jones by a liquor store and then left him at Daniels’ house.
Thirteen days later, Richmond County Sheriff officers found Jones’ body buried in a 2-foot by 4-foot hole in Daniels’ backyard on Meadowlark Road.
Monday, Daniels’ murder trial began in Richmond County Superior Court. Daniels, 44, has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, weapon violations and concealing the death of another.
Defense attorney Siobhan Hughley told the jury in her opening statement that Jones’ death was a tragic accident after Daniels and Jones were drinking and playing with a gun.
Assistant District Attorney Kyle Davis told the jury in his opening statement that while Daniels claimed Jones’ death was an accident, when sheriff detectives investigating Jones’ missing person case initially went to Daniels, he told them Jones left his house on Aug. 28, 2019.
On Sept. 10, 2019, Investigator Ron Sylvester went back to Daniels’ home to asked about Jones again. The stench of decomposition was overwhelming as soon as he got out of his vehicle, the prosecutor said Monday.
Sandy Hodson is a staff reporter covering courts for The Augusta Press. Reach her at sandy@theaugustapress.com.Â
