Zechariah Jones Trial Set For April 13

Zechariah Jones, 36, is charged with attempted second-degree murder and one count of aggravated assault. If convicted on those counts, he faces one count of being a habitual criminal -- having been convicted of three prior, separate felonies after he turned 18 -- that could result in an enhanced sentence.

Last week, Jones pleaded not guilty to the second-degree murder and aggravated assault charges during his arraignment.

Friday, Assistant District Attorney Mike Schafer and Public Defender Kerri Johnson with Forgey worked out the dates for discovery and motions deadlines, a motions hearing and the trial itself. They will call 60 citizens for jury selection.

The case began Aug. 24, when police received a call about a shooting that occurred near  K and North Lincoln streets, according to court records.

Victim Zachary Albrecht and witnesses told police Jones approached Albrecht, pointed a gun at him, shot him in the abdomen, got in a vehicle and fled the area.

Witnesses also said that Jones was the only person in the vehicle at the time.

Albrecht was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries. He told investigators that he was meeting Jones to fight him over a dispute they were having over a woman.

Investigators found a .22-caliber shell casing on scene and a later found the vehicle.

Upon contacting the vehicle’s owner, officers learned that the vehicle had been loaned to Jones earlier in the day, and Jones’ girlfriend picked him up later that day.

She said Jones then changed his clothes, and then burned what he was wearing earlier.

After police found him, Jones said he did not shoot Albrecht, but he was at the scene at the time and could be charged as an accomplice. He refused to elaborate.

Jones is being held on $250,000 bond awaiting trial.