BLOUNTVILLE — A Bristol man accused of trying to murder his estranged wife and convicted of a lesser offense and other charges has been sentenced to 15 years behind bars.
Clovis McDowell Jones, 46, formerly of 105 Spruce St., Bristol, Tenn., was sentenced Friday in Sullivan County Criminal Court to 15 years with 100 percent service required. He also surrendered all rights to appeal in the case.
Jones was tried in February on charges of attempted first-degree murder, especially aggravated kidnapping, driving on a revoked license, and aggravated assault. At the end of the two-day trial, a jury found Jones guilty of reckless endangerment instead of attempted murder and guilty as charged on all other counts.
At trial, Jones’ estranged wife testified he repeatedly stabbed her with a butcher knife in an attempt to kill her on Nov. 18, 2010. She said he attacked her when she went to his Spruce Street residence to retrieve some personal belongings. She was able to escape and drive to a nearby church, where police came to her aid.
The victim previously testified she suffered slash wounds to her hands and upper torso as she tried to fend off the attack. She said she had two surgeries on her hands, with doctors advising there was nothing more they can do to repair the damage to one hand. She reported she still has no feeling in a portion of that hand.
According to court records, police found the victim suffering from “multiple stab wounds.” She was taken to Bristol Regional Medical Center for treatment.
Jones was found leaving his residence in a red Ford Mustang, and police conducted a traffic stop on his car. He was found with “what appeared to be dried blood all over his clothing,” police said in an affidavit.
A search of Jones’ vehicle turned up a “large butcher-style knife in a plastic bag behind the driver seat, covered in what appeared to be dried blood,” police said.
Court records indicate Jones was admitted to Lakeshore Mental Health Institute on Feb. 9, 2011, for a court-ordered mental health evaluation.
Doctors there determined he was competent to stand trial and that he was not suffering from a “severe mental disease or defect” at the time of the alleged attack.
However, in a letter dated March 11, 2011, Lakeshore staff recommended Jones continue to take unspecified “psychiatric medications” in order to maintain his competency.
