Jefferson County DA Lynneice Washington said her office would no longer pursue legal action against Marshae Jones, the 28-year-old woman whose baby died after she was shot in December 2018.
"There are no winners, only losers, in this sad ordeal," said Washington during a press conference. "After reviewing the facts of this case, and the applicable state law, I have determined that it is not in the best interest of justice to pursue prosecution of Ms. Jones on the misdemeanor charge on which she was indicted by the grand jury. Therefore, I am hereby dismissing this case, and no further legal action will be taken against Ms. Jones in this matter."
Washington thanked the grand jury for their service and noted that they took to heart the idea that an unborn child is a life and that someone should be held accountable for the loss of it.
Alabama DA Drops Fetal Manslaughter Charges Against Marshae Joneswww.youtube.com
The backstory
In December 2018, Jones allegedly initiated a fight with a coworker named Ebony Jemison at a Dollar General in Pleasant Grove, Alabama, while she was five months pregnant. The other woman shot her, resulting in the death of the unborn child. The woman who fired the shot was not charged, as it was determined she was acting in self defense.
Police, at the time, focused on Jones' responsibility to keep the unborn child out of dangerous or harmful situations.
"When a five-month pregnant woman initiates a fight and attacks another person, I believe some responsibility lies with her as to any injury to her unborn child," said Pleasant Grove Police Lt. Danny Reid.
Jones' attorneys celebrated Washington's decision to drop the charges.
"The District Attorney's decision will help Marshae continue to heal from this tragic event and work to rebuild her life in a positive and productive way," Jones' attorneys from White Arnold & Dowd said in a statement to The Daily Beast.
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