OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATIORNEY

Administrative Assistant
Chief Assistant
Elaine Holifield
Valerie Hicks Powe

Chief D.A. Investigator

Deputy Chief Assistant
Raymond (Doug) Burns
Assistant District Attorneys
James D. Butler
William R. North
LeAnna C. Huddleston
David Michaels
Michelle M. Kizziah
Lane K. Tolbert
Shawnte' M. Lee
Adrienne Ward Belcher
Matthew A. Reynolds
Minnie Tunstall
Jameson Brent Butler
Chuantae Brown
Curtis Williams
LYNNEICE 0. WASHINGTON
D.A. Investigator
DISTRICT ATTORNEY Sonya Kennedy
TENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT - BESSEMER DIVISION Chris Anderson
BESSEMER JUSTICE CENTER, ROOM 110
1851 SECOND AVENUE NORTH SUITE 110, BESSEMER, AL 35020-4907 Worthless Check Unit
TELEPHONE (205) 497-8610 FAX (205) 497-8603
(205) 497-8640
Check Unit Investigators
A.G. (Andy) Bellanca
Don Lundy
Kevin McClain
Cliff Vasser
June 27, 2019 Frank Easterling

Statement by the Jefferson County Bessemer Cutoff District Attorney' s Office about the case of
Marshae Jones:

"Foremost, it should be stated that this is a truly tragic case, resulting in the death of an unborn
child. We feel sympathy for the families involved, including Ms. Jones, who lost her unborn
child. The fact that this tragedy was 100 percent avoidable makes this case even more
disheartening.

"While the Grand Jury has had its say, our office is in the process of evaluating this case and has
not yet made a determination about whether to prosecute it as a manslaughter case, reduce it
to a lesser charge or not to prosecute it. We will take a thorough look at all the facts provided,
the applicable laws and reach a decision that we believe will lead to an outcome that is the
most just for all the parties involved. We will announce our decision only after all due diligence
has been performed.

"Unfortunately, some groups have attempted to tie this case to the anti-abortion law recently
passed by the Legislature. This case predates the passage of the legislation, and we must point
out the new law played no role in the consideration of the Grand Jury.

"Also, we want to make clear that it was the Jefferson County Bessemer Cutoff Grand Jury,
after looking at the facts presented by the investigating law enforcement agency, which made
the decision to bring charges against Ms. Jones. In fact, the actions of both Ms. Jones and the
shooter, Ebony Jemison, were presented to the grand jury at the same time. The grand jury,
based on the facts presented, determined that Ms. Jemison acted in self-defense and did not
warrant charges against her, and that Ms. Jones should face charges for her actions resulting in
the death of her unborn child.

"We want to emphasize that this case has not been handled any differently than the way any
other felony is handled. In fact, in this office, all potential felony cases are presented to the
Grand Jury.

"Fairness and justice are the driving principles for this office. The public can rest assured that
we will be guided by those principles in this case ."