An attempted first-degree murder charge has been filed against a 24-year-old Winfield man accused of shooting and injuring another man in late June.
Johnathen Jones, 24, remains in the Cowley County Jail on the attempted murder count and other charges. He is a previously convicted felon.
Cowley County attorney Larry Schwartz acknowledged that the formal charge was more severe than the attempted second-degree murder charge Jones was booked on.
“The difference between first and second degree is that premeditation is required for first degree,” Schwartz said Monday. “In this case, based on what we know at this point, there is some degree of premeditation.”
The defense in this case is expected to pursue self defense – also referred to as stand your ground. Some friends and family of Jones have reached out to Cowley Post to say they believe he acted in self defense.
A preliminary hearing is set for September. Any self-defense type motion by the defense could also be considered at that time.
In June, police responded to the report of a disturbance involving gunshots in the 200 block of E. Fifth Ave.
Jones eventually turned himself into law enforcement.
The Kansas Dept. of Corrections also issued a warrant for Jones, who is currently under their supervision. He was paroled in Feb. of 2023.
During the initial stages of this recent investigation officers discovered two men were involved in an argument. Jones is said to have produced a firearm and struck the other man multiple times. He then fired multiple shots in the direction of that man, who was identified as 25-year-old Auden Tarin, of Winfield.
Tarin was treated and released at a local hospital.
Jones was sentenced to prison after being convicted of an incident that occurred in the Burden area on Sept. 11, 2018. According to news reports at the time, a man was robbed at gunpoint and left stranded by Jones and other suspects.
