The rape and sodomy case against former University of Louisville men’s basketball player Chris Jones is going to the grand jury.
Monday, Jones waived his right to a probable cause hearing in Jefferson County District Court, leaving grand jurors to decide next month if there is ample evidence to indict him on the two counts of rape and sodomy he was charged with late last month. Afterward Jones’ attorney, Scott Cox, told reporters that he waived the hearing largely because he doesn’t believe the case against his client will hold it. Cox said “every” person who was in the Cardinal Towne Apartment Complex apartment, where the alleged assaults by Jones and co-defendants Jalen D. Tilford and Tyvon Walker took place, Feb. 22 will support Jones’ innocence. Cox went on to say that there were many people in the apartment that night and alleged that police didn’t interview them until after Jones was charged. Last week one partygoer wrote a post proclaiming Jones to be innocent on Facebook.
Jones pleaded not guilty on charges of rape and sodomy late last month and Jefferson County District Court Judge Sheila Collins released him on home incarceration in lieu of a $25,000 bond. Collins did not Jones’ bond.
Jones was the starting point guard for the Cardinals when he was suspended for their game at Syracuse on Feb. 18 for a “violation of team rules.” It was later discovered that Jones had sent a threatening text message to a woman whom he was having a relationship with.
Jones was reinstated after the Syracuse game, which the Orange won 69-59. Then on Feb. 21 he came off the bench and scored 17 points in Louisville’s come-from-behind victory over Miami (Fla.). The next day Jones was dismissed from the team.
At his weekly press conference U of L coach Rick Pitino was asked if he had spoken to Jones.
“I have not,” he said. “I spoke to his dad, but I have not...I asked his dad about (him), he said he’s keeping his head up. I have a lot of faith in the judicial system, and I hope justice is served.”
Photo courtesy University of Louisville Men’s Basketball Facebook Page
