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Floyd Sentenced To Death For Murdering Girlfriend

An Atmore man was sentenced to death Monday for shooting and killing his girlfriend in early 2012. Cedric Jerome Floyd, 32, killed Tina Jones, also of Escambia County, in 2011.

Floyd was found guilty on October 7, 2013, by a jury in Escambia County Circuit Court following a three and a half week long trial.  The Attorney General’s Office presented evidence that Floyd jumped through the bedroom window of the Jones’ home just after midnight on January 2, 2011.  He shot her in the back as she was trying to flee and then fired two additional shots in execution-style.

The slaying was motivated by the victim’s intention to end a violent and tumultuous off-and-on two-year dating relationship with the defendant.   Only hours before the victim’s death, the defendant sent threatening cell phone messages  to the victim saying  “don’t make me send myself to prison,” and “ya’ll going to hate you ever met me.”

During the sentencing phase of the trial, the jury recommended a verdict of death in under 40 minutes of deliberations  by a vote of 11 to 1 after the prosecution had proved four aggravating circumstances: that the murder was committed by a defendant under a sentence of imprisonment, that the defendant had previously been convicted of another felony (in this case, first-degree rape) involving the use or threat of violence; that the murder was committed during the commission of a burglary, and that the murder was particularly heinous, atrocious, or cruel.

Floyd’s attorneys, Charles Johns and Kevin McKinley, contended during the trial the Atmore Police Department did not properly handle evidence in the case. They also unsuccessfully tried to obtain a change of venue in the case because of pretrial publicity they said would make it impossible for Floyd to receive a fair trial in Escambia County, Ala.

“This is a heartbreaking and appalling situation, in which the victim tried desperately to save herself and was viciously killed by someone who had threatened and abused her for years,” said Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange.  “If any case demands the death penalty, it is this, and today’s sentence is an important step to bring a measure of justice to Tina Jones and her family.”

The Murder

Jones called 911 at 12:46 Sunday morning, January 2 to report that Floyd was breaking into her home. Two minutes later, Atmore Police officers arrived and found Jones lying in the floor of the home with what appeared to be several gunshot wounds, according to Atmore Police. She was transported to Atmore Community Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

“Witnesses at the scene said they were asleep, but were waken by Floyd demanding keys to a vehicle.  After several moments, Floyd fled the scene on foot,” said Jason Dean, Atmore Police chief, said shortly after the crime.

“While officers were at the residence, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from Cedric Jerome Floyd, 28 years of age,  the boyfriend of Jones, stating he wanted to turn himself in.  Deputies responded to Freemanville Drive where Floyd met officers.  Floyd was then taken into custody,” said Dean.

Police said Floyd made forcible entry into the home through Jones’ bedroom window in the rear of the home.

Escape To Pensacola

Floyd escaped from the Escambia County (Ala.) Detention Center in Brewton in October 2012. After a massive manhunt, he was captured the following day as he was walking near Pace Boulevard and Clarinda Lane, just south of the Pace-Palafox split, in Pensacola.