Brevard Co. prosecutors want death penalty for accused killer

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Brevard County prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against 50-year-old Henry Lee Jones, who is on Tennessee's death row for the 2003 murders of Clarence and Lillian James.

Within days of the Tennessee killings, 19-year-old Carlos Perez was hogtied and had his throat slashed at a Super 8 Motel in Melbourne.

Jones is standing trial in Brevard County, where he's acting as his own attorney.

Jones on Thursday conducted an uncomfortable cross- examination of Perez's father, William Perez.

William Perez identified a Puerto Rican flag found in the defendant's car as one he gave to his son.

According to prosecutors, some hairs and shoe prints also were found at the scene of Perez's murder, linking Jones to the case.

"He was found dead. You had the flag," Perez said to Jones.

Authorities said there was also a credit card belonging to one of the Tennessee victims in Jones' possession. Their daughter testified for the prosecution on Thursday and said afterward she feels for the Perez family.

"I feel sorry for their loss and I hope they come to a closure," said Margaret Coleman, the James' daughter. "Everything will be all right. If they keep God first, everything will be all right."

Jones is also the prime suspect in a 2002 south Florida murder, but he's never been charged in that case.

WFTV