Double murder case in Del City will finally go to trial nearly eight years later

OKLAHOMA CITY ( KFOR ) – A trial date has been set for a man who has spent nearly eight years awaiting trial. Roshaun Jones is accused of killing two people inside a Del City laundromat in January 2017. He’s been locked up ever since, waiting on a jury to decide his fate.

Jones’ first hearing was in July 2017, where he spoke to reporters as he was being taken away in handcuffs.

“Man, I’m innocent. I didn’t do it,” said Jones.

His capital murder jury trial is set to begin September 9. He’s accused of murdering Nekia Jackson and Russ Roberts, whose bodies were found inside a laundromat in Del City. Those families have been waiting on closure ever since then.

The state admitted back in 2017 that the evidence in the case was weak. It had fuzzy surveillance video from the laundromat, a description of an SUV spotted near the location and a trash bag filled with clothing that was left inside the store.

In early June, state attorneys requested DNA testing on seven hairs found on the trash bag.

Jones’ public defender, Nicole Burns, told News 4 there were several factors as to why the trial has been delayed for seven and a half years.

She said Jones has been through four public defenders since 2017; one died, two left for the state attorney general’s office, and one retired. The slowdown was only enhanced by Covid and the transition to a new Oklahoma County District Attorney, Vicki Behenna.

While Jones eventually waived his right to a speedy trial, the Oklahoma County DA’s office acknowledged that the long wait was unacceptable.

“It’s not fair to the defendant nor the victims who must wait years for a resolution. This case encountered many unforeseeable roadblocks, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to significant delays. However, the new prosecutors assigned to this case have worked diligently over the past year and a half to prepare for trial, which is scheduled to begin September 9, 2024,” said Behenna.

Jones has spent most of his time at the Oklahoma County jail but was sent to a prison in Holdenville after a drug charge while he was locked up. He’s expected to be transferred back to Oklahoma County jail on August 5. This will be a capital murder case and the state said it intended to seek the death penalty.

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