Alan Jones goes on trial beginning Tuesday morning for the death of his stepsister, Erin Maxwell.
The trial begins with jury selection before Judge Walter Hafner. District Attorney Donald Dodd and defense lawyer Sal Lanza will pick the 12 jurors and 2 alternates who will hear the evidence and decide whether Jones is guilty or not guilty.
An Assistant District Attorney in in Oswego County has decided to make some of the complaints that a judge has filed against her public; complaints which she calls ridiculous. Because of those complaints, Oswego County Court Judge Walter Hafner Jr., has been required to recuse himself from cases that are prosecuted by assistant DA Mary Rain. Hafner still won’t discuss the complaints. However, he suggests Rain’s decision to talk is a political maneuver.
Erin Maxwell’s step-brother, father, and step-mother remain in jail as a judge refused to lower their bail. Alan Jones was arraigned on a charge of second-degree murder in connection with her death. Her father and step-mother are each facing six counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
Salvatore Lanza, the defense attorney for the Maxwell/Jones family, said he was “appalled” that he had to learn of his clients’ arrests through the media Tuesday. Lanza said he plans to address the matter with a judge this morning during Alan Jones’ appearance in Oswego County Court.
Before she died Aug. 30, police say 11-year-old Erin Maxwell lived in difficult conditions at her home on Route 264 with her father, step-mother and step brother. Tuesday morning, police arrested Lindsey and Lynn Maxwell, charging each with six counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Lynn Maxwell’s son, Alan Jones was charged with second-degree murder for allegedly causing Erin’s death.
The attorney for the Maxwell family says while his clients continue to be cooperative with police in the investigation into the death of 11-year-old Erin Maxwell, there has been little reciprocation. While the family maintains the child’s death was a tragic accident, police continue to investigate her death as a homicide. More than a month after her death, no arrests have been made in the case.
A certificate of death confirms that 11-year-old Erin Maxwell died of asphyxia. What police are investigating as a homicide, the family believes was a tragic accident. Through their attorney, Salvatore Lanza, the Maxwell family spoke out today about Erin’s death, the day she died and about the conditions of their home.
All Content Copyright Dot Publishing 2024. All Submissions Become Property of Dot Publishing All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.