HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The state has rested their side of the case against a Missouri man accused of 19 local burglaries here in Hutchinson.
Joseph Paul Jones Jr. is accused of 45 counts involving the crimes which occurred back in the late night hours of May 13 and the early morning hours of May 14, of last year. He’s accused of breaking into the local businesses by prying open doors or breaking the glass windows with a crow bar. Jones is also accused of cutting the telephone lines at several businesses before making entry.
On the stand most of the day was Hutchinson Police Detective Curtis Black who the jury of the investigation into break in’s that led to the arrest of Jones. He told on the athletic shoes seized at the time of Jones arrest matched the shoe prints found at the scene.
They also apparently found a glove they believe matched one he was seen wearing in a video obtained at the Kwik Shop at 17th & Plum. He was seen wearing a glove in that video when he went into the convenience store in the wee hours of the morning. A glove was found behind one of the businesses and the glove found contained the DNA of Jones according to testimony of Black.
The jury got to see the Kwik Shop video as well the one that came from Papa Murphy’s Pizza which they say shows Jones in both.
After the state rested, Judge Trish Rose released the jury for the day and the case is expected to pick up again at 9:30 a.m., Friday morning. The defense may or may not present evidence at the time.
The case is expected to go to the jury sometime on Friday.