A motion to overturn the guilty plea entered by Dayton Jones for multiple sex crimes in relation to a sexual assault that occurred in 2014 at a party on Lafayette Road was denied Thursday by Circuit Judge John Atkins following an evidentiary hearing.
Dayton Jones—who entered a guilty plea to charges of first-degree sodomy, wanton endangerment and distribution of matter portraying a minor in a sex performance—appeared along with his attorney Steve Hargrove. Hargrove alleged that Jones’ then attorney, Bill Deatherage, did not provide effective counsel to his client, leading to him taking a plea deal that came with a 15 year sentence.
He also says that Jones’ was not in a competent state of mind when he entered the plea. Deatherage testified that he did all he could in his power to provide accurate and responsible counsel—he says Jones alone made the choice to take the plea after evidence was revealed that named him as the one who began the assault in 2014.
Assistant Attorney General John Heck is the prosecutor in this case and says the defense failed to prove that Jones was incompetent at the time of the plea or that Deatherage was ineffective.
After hearing the evidence presented and asking a few questions of his own, Judge John Atkins denied the request to vacate the guilty plea.
Jones’ sentence also includes registering as a sex offender for life. Jones’ co-defendants—Tyler Perry, Colton Cavanaugh and Samual Miller—also accepted plea deals on various charges.