Monday, Jan. 30, 2012

AIKEN, S.C. -- The suspect charged with shooting and killing Aiken Master Cpl. Sandy Rogers showed no remorse during his first court appearance Monday morning.

Instead, the judge, law enforcement, his family and the media were all witnesses to a bizarre mix of behavior and an obscene outburst.

"It's purely the work of the devil," says suspect Joshua Jones' father, James.

He had told News 12 previously his son suffers from a mental condition, and after what transpired this morning, this father fears the public will think his son is an "even bigger monster."

The 26-year-old Jones is charged with first-degree murder in Cpl. Rogers' death. She was shot in Eustis Park before 8 a.m. Saturday while responding to a call of a suspicious vehicle.

Jones also has strong ties to another murder that morning in Richmond County -- the shooting death of his pregnant girlfriend Cayce Vice is also under investigation.

News 12's Chad Mills was in court as Jones was brought in for his bond hearing. Jones was seen shackled and cuffed, walking with obvious convulsions as he staggered in wearing an orange and white striped jumpsuit.

Jones continued to convulse as Associate Chief Magistrate Judge Donna Williamson presided over the hearing. When she asked if Jones would need a public defender, he responded "What do you think, G** D*****!"

Also, he turned around several times to address the media, mouthing choice obscenities of a provoking nature.

As per protocol, Jones' bond on the first-degree murder charge was delayed for a circuit court judge since it could carry life or the death penalty. He was given a $10,000 bond on the weapons charge, however, he cannot bond out until his circuit court bond hearing for the murder charge is held. He will also likely soon face murder charges in Richmond County.

Aiken County Sheriff Michael Hunt was in court as well as Jones' family, who watched the hearing from an attached room.

Afterward, James Jones told News 12 his son stabbed him when he was 16 years old. He said last year, between July and August, Jones shot himself in the head. James Jones says his son was treated at Aiken Regional Medical Center and then moved for further treatment at Aurora Pavilion Behavioral Health Services.

Mr. Jones thinks his son was released from Aurora "too soon" last fall. By October, Vice's father says the two were already dating. Howard Vice said the relationship soon became abusive and that Cayce had learned recently she was pregnant with their child. She was five weeks along at the time she was killed.

Richmond County investigators have not officially named Joshua Jones as a suspect, but they have said their suspect in Cayce Vice's slaying is in custody in Aiken County.

Jones continued to convulse and stumble as he was led back out of the courtroom. His father said the hearing is likely an indicator that is son will plead insanity in Cpl. Rogers' murder.