On March 26, 1992, Jones and Robert Weaver were visiting in Robert's garage. Inside the home, Robert's 74-year-old grandmother, Katherine Gumina, sat watching television while Robert's 7-year-old daughter, Tisha, lay on the floor, working on some school work.

At approximately 8:40 p.m., Jones attacked an unsuspecting Robert from behind, striking him once in the head with a bat as Robert sat on an inverted bucket in the garage.

Once Robert was down, Jones entered the home, walked to the living room, and attacked Katherine Gumina. Tisha Weaver immediately fled to her parents' bedroom, where she hid under the bed.

Leaving Gumina for dead, Jones searched the house for Tisha. Upon finding her, Jones dragged Tisha out from under the bed and struck her twice in the head. Jones then strangled her.

Once Tisha was dead, Jones raided Robert's gun cabinet, stealing his gun collection. Jones then took the keys to Katherine Gumina's car and proceeded out to the garage to place the guns in the car.

There, Jones found that Robert had regained consciousness. Jones, still armed with the bat, chased Robert as he attempted to flee. Upon catching Robert, Jones inflicted three more blows to his head. Once Robert was down, Jones inflicted two additional blows. After loading the guns into Katherine Gumina's car, Jones fled the residence.

PROCEEDINGS

    Presiding Judge: James E. Chavez
    Prosecutor: John S. Taylor
    Start of Trial: August 31, 1993
    Verdict: September 13, 1993
    Sentencing: December 9, 1993

Aggravating Circumstances:

    Pecuniary gain (Robert Weaver & Tisha Weaver)
    Especially heinous, cruel, or depraved (Robert Weaver & Tisha Weaver)
    Multiple homicides (Robert Weaver & Tisha Weaver)
    Child victim (Tisha Weaver)

Mitigating Circumstances:

    None sufficient to call for leniency

PUBLISHED OPINIONS

    State v. Jones (Danny), 185 Ariz. 471, 917 P.2d 200 (1996).