Zechariah Jones Sentenced For Attempted Second Degree Murder And Aggravated Assault

A Casper man convicted of trying to kill another man in an argument over a woman will be spending a long time behind bars.

Zechariah Jones was sentenced to 55-to-100 years in prison, after a jury found him guilty on one count of attempted second degree murder, and one count of aggravated assault and battery.

At trial, Jones acknowledged his past criminal record, thus making him a habitual criminal.

Both the prosecution and the defense recommended that the sentences on the two charges be served concurrently, or at the same time, but Natrona County District Court Judge Daniel Forgey decided to make them consecutive (40-50 years for attempted 2nd degree murder, followed by 15-50 years for aggravated assault and battery...both penalties enhanced by the habitual criminal tag).

Investigators with the Casper Police Department say in late August 2014, a call came in, regarding a shooting that had taken place near the intersection of K and North Lincoln Streets.

The victim…Zachary Albrecht, and witnesses told police that Jones approached Albrecht, pointed a gun at him and shot him in the abdomen, then got in a vehicle, fled the area, changed his clothes and burned what he was originally wearing.

Jones testified in his own defense at trial, that at the time in question, he was on his way to the location, because Albrecht wanted to fight him.

Albrecht had hacked his wife's Facebook account and was sending messages to Jones, saying she was interested in him, but somewhere along the line a communication break-down happened.

The allegation of interest was not true.

Jones said shortly before the incident he had picked up Albrecht's significant other, to take her to the park and show her what was going on.

At the park, Jones got out of the vehicle, and while Albrecht was approaching him, Jones started to stretch.

It was then Jones claimed he heard a loud pop, and heard Albrecht say he had been shot.

Jones then said he fled the area with Albrecht's significant other, and then later saw a gun on her.

However, during rebuttal witness testimony, Albrecht's significant other said she was at home at the time, and not with Jones.

Investigators found a .22-caliber shell casing on scene and later found the vehicle, which did not belong to Jones.

He has two prior felony convictions on his record, and said the Police have never been on his side, which is why he didn't go to them.

Prosecutors questioned why Jones was bouncing around from place to place after the shooting, and said Jones was trying to distance himself from a situation that he didn't want any other part in.