In the early morning hours of March 10, 1985, the victim was approached by a man while walking with one of her friends. The man, known as "Bumpy", grabbed her and asked for change to buy a drink. Later that morning, the police received a call reporting a homicide and found the victim's body. The victim had been stabbed and beaten. Further investigation revealed the presence of semen in her vagina. Jones was convicted by a jury and sentenced to death in a bench hearing.

The prosecution presented the following evidence at trial: the victim's friend identified Jones as "Bumpy", a victim in a second rape involving "Bumpy" identified Jones, Jones had confessed to having had sex with the victim and struggling with her after she attacked him, and RFLP DNA testing introduced at trial could not rule out Jones, but was inconclusive.

The Illinois Supreme Court denied Jones' petition for a rehearing on October 4, 1993. Jones later filed for DNA testing. The State initially opposed his motion, but eventually consented.

Forensic Science Associates conducted PCR based DNA testing in 1997 and excluded Jones as the donor of the sperm found in the victim.

Based on the DNA results, the State Attorney's office moved to vacate the conviction in July 1997. The Illinois Supreme Court then ordered a new trial for Jones. In May 1999, the State Attorney's office decided to drop the charges against Jones.