Inmate admits to attempted murder

120 months added to existing sentence

eastoregonian.com/front page/10-12-99

By KAREN ZACHARIAS of the East Oregonian

PENDLETON - Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution inmate Leslie R. Jones entered a change of plea to guilty on an attempted murder charge this morning.

Shackled in waist and wrist chains and leg cuffs before Circuit Court Judge Garry Reynolds, Jones admitted to "intentionally and willfully" striking Sandy Ainsworth, an EOCI correctional officer, on Sept. 3rd with a pipe and his fist.

With her right leg still bound in a cast, Ainsworth hobbled into the courtroom on crutches. Sitting between a family member and EOCI Superintendent Jean Hill, Ainsworth wept as Cindy Gallaher from the district attorney's office read a statement on Ainsworth's behalf.

"No matter how many times he might say he's sorry, he can't take away the pain she (Ainsworth) and her family have suffered. They ask for the maximum penalty possible," Gallaher read.

Ainsworth, 51, has been with EOCI for 11 years. The beating left her with a broken ankle and extensive bruising.

Reynolds asked Jones if he "attempted to cause the death of another person, Sandy Ainsworth, by striking her with a pipe and your fist. Did you do that?"

"Yes, your honor," Jones replied.

Reynolds accepted Jones plea to attempted aggravated murder and dismissed the charge of possession of a weapon by an inmate and supplying contraband.

As part of the plea negotiations, Jones requested that Reynolds continue with the sentencing. As a previously convicted murderer, Jones was already serving a life sentence. Under Measure 11 guidelines, Reynolds sentenced Jones to an additional 10 years, to run consecutively with his current sentence. Reynolds stipulated that there would be no early release.

"Mr. Jones the crime you committed was a heinous one. My sincere hope is with this additional sentence your incarceration will truly be for life," Reynolds stated.

Reynolds also ordered that Jones pay restitution of $71,415 and serve an additional three years of post-parole supervision.

District Attorney Chris Brauer said that the beating was Jones' attempt to commit a crime for which he would receive the death penalty.

"Fortunately, he didn't succeed," Brauer said.