Travis Everett Jones
La Plata, MD – Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West has probably seen it all during his time on the bench, but there’s always room for something new, especially on Friday the 13th.
Travis Everett Jones, 30 of no fixed address, in court for a criminal motions hearing and representing himself Friday, May 13, persistently denied that he was the defendant in question, who is facing distribution charges not marijuana (Oxycodone) from Sept. 17, 2014.
“I’m not answering any of these indictments because I’m not the defendant you’re looking for, regardless of how much they [the state] try to make me the defendant,” Jones said, asserting that his middle name is Evrett, not Everett as spelled in court documents.
“He would be required to prove that,” Charles County Assistant State’s Attorney Jonathan Beattie said.
Jones was told his trial is set for June 6.
“It’s not scheduled for me,” Jones quipped. “You need to find the correct defendant.”
“You don’t have to agree with me,” West told him.
“You need to find the right defendant,” Jones said again.
The judge noted that the state had offered the defendant a plea in which active time would be time served.
“That would let you out of jail,” West stressed. “That offer was made almost a month ago.”
“The offer is still open,” Beattie said.
“I told you, I have a hard time accepting the offer when I’m not the defendant,” Jones insisted. “I don’t think I should have to agree to a trial.”
“You are the alleged perpetrator,” West said. “They [the state] are alleging you did it.”
“I’ve been in jail three months since I was kidnapped off the streets of Baltimore,” Jones claimed. “I’m not a defendant, I’m a hostage.”
A review in Maryland Judicial Case Search of Travis Everett Jones with the defendant’s same exact birthday revealed Jones faced first-degree assault charges in Baltimore in 2009 and was convicted of second-degree assault in Towson in 2002.
Despite Jones’ continuing protests while the judge was trying to tell him of his rights and court procedures, the defendant said he would be in court for a status hearing June 1.
“We have to see where this is going,” West said.
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com
