Friday, July 15, 2022

Accused SEPTA Serial Killer Should Have Been In Jail

By Ralph Cipriano
for BigTrial.net

Derrick Jones, the 21-year-old suspect that police say got on SEPTA buses and trains in the past two weeks and randomly hunted down and executed three passengers, should have been in jail rather than out on a killing spree.

That's because when Jones was arrested as an adult on Jan. 14, 2019, and was hit with three gun charges, he was already on probation as a juvenile after he had twice entered the equivalent of a guilty finding in two previous felony cases.

But as what typically happens under District Attorney Larry Krasner, Jones, a suspect with a criminal record who was facing a gun charge, pleaded guilty in a negotiated plea bargain with the D.A.'s office and got a sweetheart deal, a sentence of 11 1/2 to 23 months in jail, plus two years probation.

Jones wound up serving only 11 1/2 months in jail, court records show, before he was released on house arrest. A seasoned prosecutor who reviewed Jones's record, however, said that under state sentencing guidelines promulgated by the state legislature, Jones, because he was a previous offender on probation, should have gotten a sentence of a minimum of three to six years in jail.

Instead, the seasoned prosecutor said, Jones got a generous plea bargain that the D.A.'s office, under Larry Krasner, routinely gives out in 95% of cases when somebody with a previous criminal record is charged with a gun crime.

"This why the state legislature is investigating whether the D.A. has committed a dereliction of duty" as grounds for impeachment, said the seasoned prosecutor who requested anonymity. "Larry Krasner refuses to enforce the law. This is exactly what the state Legislature is talking about when it comes to the D.A. failing to enforce the gun laws already on the books."

The plea bargain that Jones got from Larry Krasner's office is "so far outside the sentencing guidelines that you've obliterated the guidelines," the seasoned prosecutor said. And when a dangerous criminal is given a light sentence, you're always taking the chance that he will go out and commit more crimes, and victimize more people. 

The three SEPTA murders, the seasoned prosecutor said, are the "logical result of Krasner's policies." And, according to the police, there may be more victims as they continue to investigate Jones as a possible serial killer. 

In a press conference today, Homicide Captain Jason Smith said that a SWAT team executed a search warrant yesterday on a first-floor apartment at 6971 Forrest Avenue in West Oak Lane and took Derrick Jones into custody. 

The police found in Jones's home a 45 caliber Glock 21 pistol with an extended magazine and 31 live rounds, plus an additional 76 live rounds.

In ballistics tests, the gun found with Jones matched the bullets and casings recovered from two crime scenes where Jones had allegedly killed three young men, Captain Smith said. 

The police also recovered from the apartment "clothing believed to have been worn by Jones during the commission of the murders," Captain Smith said. A police source said that clothing included a lime green vest typically worn by highway construction crews.

Police charged Jones with three counts of first-degree murder.

"The motive is unknown," Smith said. "That is the burning question. Why why did Mr. Jones murder in cold blood three males?"

"Why he marked them is anyone's guess," Smith said. "This is a total random act of violence. We may never get to the bottom of it and find out why."

Jones, who had four prior arrests, two as a juvenile, and two as an adult, was currently on probation from his 2019 plea bargain as an adult where he pleaded guilty to gun charges. 

The suspect," Smith said, who lived with his grandmother and a younger sister, "refused to provide a statement."

At 10 p.m. on June 28th, police said, Jones got on a SEPTA bus and got off at Broad and Cheltenham. He proceeded to run up behind Zamir Syrus, 20, another passenger on the same bus who had gotten off at the previous stop, and allegedly shot him several times in the chest and neck.

Syrus, who was packing a 9 mm gun that he never got a chance to use, was transported to Einstein Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police, Captain Smith said, recovered six 45 caliber fired casings from the crime scene. 

Nine days later, at approximately 10:30 p.m. on July 7th, Jones, again riding a SEPTA bus, got off in West Oak Lane and shot Tyheim Tucker, 21, and his neighbor, Justin Smith, 20, multiple times in the chest and torso.

Police said the shootings took place on the 1900 block of 68th Avenue, just a block from both victims' homes in West Oak Lane. Both victims, whom police said were coming home from work, were pronounced dead at the scene. Neither victim had a criminal record.

Police said that once again Jones had boarded a Route 6 SEPTA bus, the same bus as his victims. Tucker and Smith got off at 68th and Ogontz. Jones got off one step later, at Ogontz and Haines, and then, according to police, he stalked and murdered his victims.

Police recovered 13 spent 45 caliber cartridges from the crime scene.

"There weren't any signs or precursors to these random acts," Captain Smith said. "Why Mr. Jones chose these three individuals is really the burning question."

Smith said a SWAT team was urgently searching for Jones because only nine days had elapsed between the three murders. The amount of ammunition captured with the suspect, Smith said, credibly fueled suspicions that Jones was out to kill more people. 

Asked if it was possible if Jones had previously committed other murders, Captain Smith, "We're certainly just looking into that possibility." Sources say homicide detectives are looking at multiple unsolved homicides that involved "stone-cold" killings to see if Jones was responsible.

Asked if police were dealing with a serial killer, Smith said it was a possibility. He added that Jones already fit the FBI's technical definition of a serial killer, which is somebody who murders two or more people.

Jones's arrest record begins on March 23, 2017 when, at 16, he was hit with 28 different charges, including multiple counts of robbery, conspiracy, aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct, and harassment. 

On March 23, 2018, the D.A.'s office under new D.A. Larry Krasner withdrew 26 of the 28 charges. Jones was found to be an adjudicated delinquent, the equivalent of guilty, on two first-degree felony charges, conspiracy and aggravated assault. 

Less than three weeks later, on April 11, 2018, when he was 17, Jones was arrested again and charged with manufacture, delivery or possession of drugs with intent to manufacture and deliver, a felony, and intentional possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor. 

In court on Jan. 14, 2019, when he was 18, Jones was found to be an adjudicated delinquent on the felony drug charge, and the D.A.'s office withdrew the misdemeanor drug charge.

Later that same day, on Jan. 14, 2019, Jones was arrested again, this time as an adult, and he was charged with criminal mischief, receiving stolen property and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in connection with a stolen car.

While he was driving around in a stolen car, Jones was also charged with two felonies, possession of a prohibited firearm, and firearms not to be carried without a license, plus a misdemeanor charge of carrying firearms in public.

On Sept. 24, 2019, before Judge Mia Roberts Perez, in a negotiated guilty plea for both adult arrests, Jones pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property, possession of a prohibited firearm, and firearms not to be carried without a license.

He was sentenced to 11 1/2 to 23 months in jail and two years probation.

 As part of the plea bargain, the D.A.'s office dropped the charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and carrying firearms in public. 

The plea bargain also called for Jones to get immediate parole after he had served 11 1/2 months, when he was released from county custody under the terms of house arrest.

On April 17, 2020, Judge Sierra Thomas Street denied a defense motion for immediate parole because of the Covid pandemic. On Nov. 19, 2020 Judge Perez approved a defense motion to modify the terms of Jones's house arrest to allow him to go to work. 

The SEPTA murder spree comes at a bad time for D.A. Larry Krasner. 

Earlier this week, the state House of Representatives appointed a five-member select committee to address the "skyrocketing crime rates in Philadelphia" by conducting an inquiry into the possible impeachment of D.A. Krasner.

Memo to the select committee -- time to open a file on Derrick Jones.

Jones's case is additional proof that Larry Krasner is lying when he frequently denies that people arrested for illegally carrying guns have a habit of going out and and committing more crimes.

For example, in a Sept. 30, 2021 news story, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Krasner's faithful apologist, stated that Krasner's office "has long contended that there’s little evidence to suggest people who are arrested in Philadelphia for nonviolent gun offenses go on to commit shootings and homicides."

Larry Krasner, what do you have to say about Derrick Jones?

As usual, Krasner, who has stonewalled Big Trial for three years, did not respond to a request for comment. 

As for the Inquirer, Krasner's partner in progressivism, it quickly took the story of the SEPTA killer off the front page of inquirer.com.

The newspaper also didn't mention the light sentence that Jones got in 2019 after he was arrested as an adult on the gun charges. And of course the Inky didn't make the Krasner connection, that the accused killer was only out on the street because of Krasner's policy of giving lenient sentences that are way below state sentencing guidelines to criminals caught illegally carrying guns.

Why is the newspaper censoring the news about a possible serial killer who was randomly hunting down and executing SEPTA riders? 

Because at a time when the state house of representatives is looking to impeach Krasner, the Inquirer continues to cover for its progressive hero. Because the true facts of the Derrick Jones case -- that "Let 'Em Loose Larry" let a possible serial killer out of jail --  might make a helluva argument for impeachment.

14 comments

  1. Statistics and common sense shows repeat offenders will commit even more serious crimes. Prayers to the families for the senseless killings. Shame on the people that voted on Krasner’s lies and more shame on the politicians that are spending countless amounts of money on every other solution but actually prosecuting and holding Krasner unaccountable. Krasner is a disgrace to the city of Philadelphia.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All true.
      The only "good" thing is at least Kras-Kras hold press conferences, such as they are.
      Kenney on the other hand covers in city hall, in fetal position, surrounded by armed guards, lamenting his "lack of bliss."
      Kenney should look at his financial statements, and the millions he gleaned while warming a seat in Council, working "side jobs" for companies who do business with the city. Like Bobby Henon. Not that Kenney will be held accountable.

      Delete
  2. Ralph I know that the internet is far reaching and you do reach many people. But in my opinion, you’re updating the already informed. While the public “knows” they don’t have any proof or actual details since the majority of the public use social media and the likes for their news. I really wish you had someone out pounding the pavement around City Hall advertising your website and/or just handing out papers with bullet points to direct the uninformed, because the information you put out there really and truly needs to be known. Heads need to be forcefully pulled out of the sand.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EXACTLY! If Black Residents of Philly knew Big Trial.com even existed they definitely wouldn't argue with me when I make comments calling Larry Krasner a Blanketed Racist Clown who literally forces Philly Cops to allow Philly to be city of Lawlessness and Destruction by forbidding them to make arrests for Crimes he claims are Frivolous, knowing that there's no such thing as a Victimless Crime and that he's being a Hug A Thug Lead District Attorney who makes sure that Philly's Most Violent Criminals are able to be bailed out of Philly Jails either through money from his own Bail Fund or encouraging Philly Judge to set extremely low Bail Amounts to purposely create Atmospheres of absolute Destruction and Waiting Rooms for Cemeteries in Philly's Black Neighborhoods because he's enjoying watching Black People kill each other after Emotionally Blackmailing into believing that Philly's White Law Enforcement Officials are the Racist People for locking people who repeatedly display Animalistic Behavior up in jail where they absolutely belong so that Philly can be the City of a great deal of Unified Love amongst all Races and People of all walks of life that it was before Krasner got voted in as District Attorney! Krasner being voted in by Philly's Black Voters tragically exposes that the Crime Prevention Grants and Gun Carry Permits he gave out literally like free Candy made Philly's Black Citizens forget what a Racist truly looks like unfortunately! #impeachkrasner should definitely be blasting from Megaphones held by all Philly Citizens because we all deserve to live in a safe city where Cops are honored and respected for putting their lives on the line to save lives every day instead of living in a city with a District Attorney who encourages Racial Divide and total disrespect of the Cops and Citizens feeling like they're Prisoners of their own homes! And things happen in Philly because of Philly's District Attorney Larry Krasner's Fake Progressive failure to abide by Pennsylvania Crimes Codes to lock Philly's Violent Criminals up and sent to Upstate prison where majority of them belong for at least 2 decades for terrorizing the same Philly Neighborhoods that their own children have to be raised and grow up in! Unapologetically Long like the long list of Philly lives Krasner is responsible for being snuffed out by the Gun Violence plaguing Philly that Krasner loves so much that he makes sure that Philly Criminals are on Philly streets to do and Ultimately try to help them get away with doing it by withdrawing their Criminal Charges with his Famous Uncle Larry lie of Lack of Evidence to move forward with prosecution especially when Philly Criminals are smart enough to use Krasner's old Law Firm to represent them, that's a Real Life Monopoly Get Out of Philly Courtrooms and Philly Jails for absolutely free! If you know you know, if you ain't never know now you know how to get away with Crimes in Philly, it's literally Foolproof and I didn't even charge a fee for the Best Known Information in Philly!

      Delete
    2. Bingo. I post BigTrial articles on Nextdoor.com and encourage others to do the same.

      Delete
    3. LETS GO RALPH. QR CODES THAT SCAN BY PHONE CAMERA THAT LEAD TO ARTICLES. STOP LIVING IN THE STONE AGES!

      Delete
  3. See you at the next MENSA meeting, Ralph!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Some people think it's an overreach for legislators in Harrisburg to move to try to impeach Krasnar. It seems to me that if Krasner was doing his job we wouldn't be at this juncture. Someone had to act, and Philly's leaders didn't. I hope they're successful in removing him from office.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Is the seasoned prosecutor cure working in Krasner’s DA office?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for your work reporting this story. One thing you could have added is the second paragraph (IN CAPS):

    "Jones's arrest record begins on March 23, 2017 when, at 16, he was hit with 28 different charges, including multiple counts of robbery, conspiracy, aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct, and harassment."

    JANUARY 2, 2018 - LARRY KRASNER SWORN IN AS DA.

    "On March 23, 2018, the D.A.'s office withdrew 26 of the 28 charges. Jones was found to be an adjudicated delinquent, the equivalent of guilty, on two first-degree felony charges, conspiracy and aggravated assault."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A Damn shame and literally the prerequisites for literally every Philly Murderer since Krasner became Philly's District Attorney, Philly, the waiting Room for Cemeteries for Philly's Hardworking Taxpayers and innocent children caught in the Crossfire of the Raging Gun Violence that Hug A Thug District Attorney Krasner created the same exact day he was actually voted in

      Delete
  7. Delta Force would have put three slugs in his forehead and it would ce case closed forever.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hey guys don’t worry - Larry (almost) didn’t hesitate to hit those 14 years olds with murder charges!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I heard the 2019 plea deals were negotiated by ADA Lori Edelman-Orem, the same ADA who plead out Jovaun Patterson after he gunned down Mike Poeng with an AK-47.

    https://web.archive.org/web/20220718203646/https://www.inquirer.com/news/district-attorney-larry-krasner-seeks-reversal-plea-deal-ak-gunman-west-philly-20181208.html

    ReplyDelete

Thoughtful commentary welcome. Trolling, harassing, and defaming not welcome. Consistent with 47 U.S.C. 230, we have the right to delete without warning any comments we believe are obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, excessively violent, harassing, or otherwise objectionable, whether or not such material is constitutionally protected.

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.