Victim: Bertis Jones, 68
Murderer: Brett Jones, 15
Death: Lee County, Mississippi, August 9, 2004
Bertis was a father and grandfather. He was a hard worker and had previously worked as a repairman and as a truck driver. He loved working on cars and was a Christian. Bertis was a very kind and gentle man with a loving spirit.
Bertis was murdered by his grandson Brett Jones. The killer was sentenced to life without parole (LWOP). He appealed his sentence and his case went before the US Supreme Court. In Jones v. Mississippi SCOTUS determined that juveniles under 18 do not have to be found “permanently incorrigible” before being sentenced to LWOP. NOVJM submitted an amicus brief supporting Mississippi.
Bertis’s family was not notified that their case was going to the Supreme Court, even though they signed up for victim notification. Read Bertis’s son’s statement here.
