New trial denied in 2008 shooting conviction | Local Crime & Courts

BLOOMINGTON — Testimony from a man incarcerated for his role in a 2008 shooting failed to sway a judge to order a new trial for a co-defendant.

Judge Scott Drazewski ruled Friday that the accounts of several witnesses who testified at the trial of Keiahty Jones were at odds with the testimony of a new witness, Eddie Spice.

Keiahty Jones, now 30, was convicted in August 2008 of aggravated battery with a firearm under the state's theory that he was accountable for the shooting that left several people injured with birdshot. He is serving 16 years.

Jones' jury did not hear from Spice, who was unavailable as a witness because he faced charges related to the April 6, 2008, shooting outside Evergreen Apartments on Bloomington's west side. 

Spice testified Friday that he came forward after nine years "because I felt it was wrong" that Jones was convicted "for something he didn't do."

Spice said he did not know Jones before he and two other men stopped him and asked for a ride after the incident. Jones had nothing to do with the shooting, said Spice.

In her arguments for a new trial, defense lawyer Kelly Harms said Spice "gains nothing today for his testimony. He has no reason whatsoever to lie on the stand and say Mr. Jones was not involved in the shooting at all."

Assistant State's Attorney Kristin Alferink argued that witnesses placed Jones at the scene and identified Spice as the shooter. It is unlikely that testimony from Spice would produce a different jury decision, said Alferink.

In his ruling denying the motion for a new trial, Drazewski noted that Spice's version of events is at odds with previous witnesses. And Jones' description of the car carrying the suspects as being a purple vehicle is unsupported by any witness, the judge noted.

Harms said Jones will appeal the ruling.