By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA

(© Journal Group Link International)

C HICAGO (jGLi) – Judge Ronald J. White of the Winnebago 17th Judicial Circuit Court in outlying suburb of Rockford, Illinois, will hand on down on Thursday (Dec. 30) a decision on two counts of first-degree murder of an elderly Filipino couple who were brutally killed during a home invasion two years ago in Rockford.

Judge White will issue a decision on the defendant, Ommarian Tollpherian Jones, 26, after denying last month Jones’ motion to declare “the Illinois death penalty statute unconstitutional for allowing the imposition of a death sentence without requiring the state to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that deal is the appropriate sentence.”

Jones’ lawyers, Public Defender Shelton Green and Appellate Defender Joseph Kennelly, had vigorously opposed the sentencing.

But the prosecution led by Illinois state attorneys Joseph P. Bruscato, Marilyn Hite-Ross and F. James Brun stood their ground.

Earlier, Judge White conducted a “fitness hearing” on Jones and found him “fit to stand trial” after pleading not guilty to the charges.

Jones earlier demanded a bench trial but is “not demanding a speedy trial.”

Capital Punishment Can Be Imposed

A lthough, there is a moratorium for the imposition of death penalty in Illinois, Jones is eligible to be sentenced for death penalty.

Jones was charged with two counts of first degree murder for the “blunt instrument” killing of Reynato “Ray” V. Cardino, 77, and his wife, Leticia “Letie” V. Cardino, 75, in their home at 2623 Pleasant View, Rockford, in the early evening of July 8, 2009. He was also charged with seriously injuring the Cardinos's son, Reyle, 56.

Jones appeared to have gained entry in the early evening in the residence of the Cardinos, ahead of the Filipino-American couple, who just came home from shopping, in what appeared to be a burglary.

It was while Jones was allegedly killing the couple with “blunt instruments” when the couple’s son, Reyle Cardino, 51, arrived in the couple’s home. Jones was quoted as telling Reyle, “You are next.” A violent scrimmage between the two followed. Reyle sustained injuries in the face before Jones could flee.

Samples of skin taken from the fingernails of Reyle led to the identity of Jones thru DNA tests.

Meanwhile, Jones’ mother, Helen F. Jones, was later charged with two counts of charges of obstruction of justice and destroying evidence. She did not call 9-1-1 when her son showed up at home after the killing of the couple and injuring the couple’s son.

The Joneses live less than two blocks away from the victims’ home.

Ray Cardino was a retired mechanical engineer who worked part-time assembling bikes at Wal-Mart while Letie V. Cardino was a retired licensed architect who worked as building inspector for the city of Rockford.

Reynaldo V. Cardino and Leticia Cardino are natives of Baliangao, and Sapang Dalaga, Misamis Occidental in the Philippines. # # #

Editor’s Note: To contact the author, please e-mail him at:  (lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net)