FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS ADVISORY
January 27, 2014
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Alabama Attorney General
Claire Haynes (334) 242-7351
Page 1 of 1
AG ANNOUNCES DEATH SENTENCE FOR MURDER IN ESCAMBIA COUNTY
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Luther Strange announced that an
Escambia County man today was sentenced to death for the murder of a woman he had
dated who was trying to escape the violent relationship. Cedric Jerome Floyd, 32, killed
Tina Jones, also of Escambia County, in 2011.
Floyd was found guilty on October 7, 2013, by a jury in Escambia County Circuit
Court following a three and a half week long trial. The Attorney General’s Office
presented evidence that Floyd jumped through the bedroom window of the Jones’
home just after midnight on January 2, 2011. He shot her in the back as she was trying
to flee and then fired two additional shots in execution-style. The slaying was motivated
by the victim’s intention to end a violent and tumultuous off-and-on two-year dating
relationship with the defendant. Only hours before the victim’s death, the defendant
sent threatening cell phone messages to the victim saying “don’t make me send myself
to prison,” and “ya’ll going to hate you ever met me.”
During the sentencing phase of the trial, the jury recommended a verdict of
death by a vote of 11 to 1 after the prosecution had proved four aggravating
circumstances: that the murder was committed by a defendant under a sentence of
imprisonment, that the defendant had previously been convicted of another felony (in
this case, first-degree rape) involving the use or threat of violence; that the murder was
committed during the commission of a burglary, and that the murder was particularly
heinous, atrocious, or cruel.
“This is a heartbreaking and appalling situation, in which the victim tried
desperately to save herself and was viciously killed by someone who had threatened
and abused her for years,” said Attorney General Strange. “If any case demands the
death penalty, it is this, and today’s sentence is an important step to bring a measure of
justice to Tina Jones and her family.”
Attorney General Strange commended Assistant Attorneys General Stephanie
Billingslea, John Hensley and Ternisha Miles, and Paralegal Lori Arnold of his Criminal
Trials Divisions; Victims Service Director Patty DeBortoli of his Office of Victim
Assistance; and Special Agents of his Investigations Division. He also thanked the
Atmore Police Department, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Michael Trotter with
the Office of Prosecution Services, and Atmore Community Hospital.
–30 —
501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us
