GRAND JURY INDICTS MANHATTAN MAN ON CHARGES OF CRIMINALLY NEGLIGENT HOMICIDE

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a 41 year-old Manhattan man has been indicted and charged with allegedly killing a 21 year-old Bronx man while driving an ambulette this past April.

Kevin Jones, of 202 St. Nicholas Avenue, Manhattan, was indicted on one count of Criminally negligent homicide, a class “E” felony offense, in the death of Jose Vladimir Rosario. Jones, a mandatory persistent violent felony offender, faces a maximum term of up to 25 years to life imprisonment if convicted.

Arraigned before State Supreme Court Justice Edward M. Davidowitz, bail was set at $10,000 cash or bond. Jones is scheduled to return to State Supreme Court on Monday, September 13, 2004 in Part M20.

The incident occurred on April 23, 2004 when, according to court papers, the arresting officer saw the defendant traveling at a high rate of speed, northbound on the Grand Concourse at East 156th Street. Witnesses stated that the vehicle driven by the defendant jumped the curb, hit the building, and then struck Rosario, killing him.

Senior Trial Assistant District Attorney Gary R. Weil of the Trial Bureau will be prosecuting this case.