Rochester Man’s Police Shooting Trial Put on Hold

Hibbing, MN (KROC AM News) - The trial of a Rochester man charged with firing a gun at police officers in northern Minnesota has been put on hold after a judge dismissed the most serious charges in the case.

The trial of 25-year-old Che Jones was scheduled to begin last week. The prosecution is now appealing the ruling.

Jones was charged with firing a gun at two officers in Hibbing in January. The officers had been called to check a reported assault. They arrived to find Jones outside a residence with a gun and standing over a man. Jones fled when the officers told him to drop the gun. The officers caught up with Jones when he fell and that’s when they say he pointed the gun at them and fired. They returned fire and Jones was hit in the chest, left arm and face.

Charges were filed several months later after Jones was released from the hospital. Among the charges were attempted murder in the 2nd degree and three counts of 1st-degree assault. Those four counts were dismissed by the judge, who ruled no one witnessed the shooting and no bullet was ever found:

“The state cannot present evidence that proves beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant fired the gun in the direction of the officers.”

Jones is still facing seven other charges, including four counts of 2nd-degree assault. He remains in jail, unable to post $250,000 bail.

Also in the news:  Rochester police carry out prostitution sting.

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