CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – UPDATE 1:45pm: Ramseur says Jones has pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated malicious wounding, and five counts of use of a firearm in commission of a felony. He faces five life sentences on the murder and malicious wounding convictions plus 23 years on the firearms counts. A 4-day sentencing hearing begins February 4.

ORIGINAL:

Neither Albemarle County Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Hingeley nor defense attorney Doug Ramseur can comment, but confirm UVA football players’ murder suspect Chistopher Jones has pleaded guilty to murder.  In a highly unusual development, there was nothing on the Albemarle Circuit Court docket for him since a February hearing earlier this year, and a scheduled jury trial in January of next year. At this time, it’s not known specifically to what charges he had pleaded guilty. He was facing six aggravated murder charges and two aggravated malicious wounding counts for which he was scheduled to go to trial January 22.

Jones opened fire on a bus the early morning of November 13, 2022 upon returning from a field trip. UVA football players D’Sean Perry, Lavel Davis, and Devin Chandler died in the shootings; and football player Mike Hollins and track athlete Marlee Morgan were wounded.