Frank Carl Jones III, aged 37, tragically lost his life on May 18, 2014, in Jasper, Florida. The incident occurred around noon while Jones was sitting on the front porch of his residence at 106 8th Ave. Witnesses reported that gunfire erupted from the bushes across the street, striking Jones fatally. Two other men, David Washington and Louis Ash, were also injured in the shooting but survived. Washington was shot in the calf, and Ash was grazed by a bullet.
Both received medical attention and were released shortly after.
The investigation into Jones's death led to the arrest of Daphedron Lamar Allen, who was charged with first-degree murder. Allen had been involved in an altercation the previous day and returned to Jones's residence shortly after midnight on May 18. Following the shooting, Allen fled the scene but was later apprehended at a motel in Lake Park, Georgia. He was charged with second-degree murder and held on a $500,000 bond.
A grand jury convened on July 25, 2014, and indicted Allen on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and shooting into an occupied vehicle. Two other individuals, Sipp Derrell Pierce and Sierra Gandy, were also indicted as accessories after the fact. Pierce and Gandy were accused of assisting Allen in evading law enforcement following the shooting.
The trial for Allen concluded on May 20, 2015, with Allen pleading guilty to first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and shooting into an occupied vehicle. He was sentenced to life in prison for the murder charge, with additional consecutive sentences of 20 years for aggravated battery and 15 years for shooting into an occupied vehicle. Allen was also required to pay numerous court costs. Following his sentencing, Allen was transferred to the custody of the Florida Department of Corrections.
During the investigation and trial, a witness named Andrew Lee Givens was charged with perjury for providing inconsistent statements. Givens initially claimed he did not see Allen enter the residence or possess a gun on the day of the murder, contradicting his earlier sworn statements. Givens was arrested and held for trial on the perjury charge.
