Nathaniel "Skippy" Jones devoted his life to his grandmother ("He's all I had," sobs granny)

The Cincinnati Enquirer On-Line ^ | Thursday, December 4, 2003 | Sharon Coolidge

[yankeedame]

Thursday, December 4, 2003

Family says Jones was never violent

------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------

He spent much time helping grandmother

By Sharon Coolidge
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The grandmother of Nathaniel Jones, Bessie Jones,
reacts during a press conference led
by attorney Ken Lawson (right).
(Michael E. Keating photo),

A man who died in police custody Sunday morning was never violent, his family says.

In their first public comments Wednesday, the family of Nathaniel Jones say they believe six Cincinnati Police officers must have said or done something to make the 342-pound man lunge at them moments before they hit him with batons while trying to handcuff him.

The Hamilton County Coroner ruled Wednesday that the roughly three-minute struggle between Jones and police in a White Castle parking lot in North Avondale was the underlying cause of the 41-year-old Northside man's death.

Jones was unarmed at the time of the confrontation. The six officers involved in the incident have sterling performance records, city records show.

"Everyone who knew him, loved him," said his aunt, Diane Payton. "I have never seen him violent, I know the way he handled his children. This was just not him."

Payton, aunts and uncles and Jones' grandmother, Bessie Jones, talked about Jones at the office of attorney Ken Lawson. He said it's not yet been decided if the family will file a lawsuit in the death.

"We're sitting here because of a phone call calling for help because (White Castle employees) thought he was sick," Payton said. "Now he's dead."

Lawson pulled Bessie Jones close, putting his arm around her.

"This was a very traumatic week for the family," Lawson said. "Not only because of the loss, but because of some of the statements made by city leaders."

Specifically, Payton criticized Mayor Charlie Luken who she says called her nephew a "deadly weapon" because of his weight.

"He had bare hands, no gun, no bricks, no sticks, no nothing," she said. "All he had was his bare hands."

Lawson said his office will do an independent investigation by looking at how police and paramedics responded and interviewing witnesses at the restaurant, and will have an independent autopsy completed on Jones' body.

Lawson said city officials' early defense of the officers' actions might taint the investigations.

"That's wrong," he said. "It takes away from their investigative ability. To do it properly, they should not feel any pressure."

A father of two

Jones, who graduated from Woodward High School, was raised by his grandmother. His mother died three years ago. Bessie Jones said she doesn't know where his father is.

From an early age, family and friends called him Skip or Skipper because he loved peanut butter, Bessie Jones said.

The Northside man worked in residential group homes caring for handicapped people.

He has two children, Nathaniel "Nate" Jones, 14, and Tyrique, 12, who live in Cleveland with their mother.

"The kids knew who their dad was and they never wanted for anything," said Jeff Thompson, Jones' roommate.

Jones visited the children over Thanksgiving weekend, returning to his home Saturday morning.

Thompson said Jones took it extremely hard when his mother died. But he had since devoted his life to his grandmother - taking her to the grocery store, to do her laundry and helping her with whatever errands she needed done.

"He's all I had," Bessie Jones said breaking down in tears.

Thompson, 46, shared a Hansfield Street apartment with Jones for the past several weeks. He said the two were lifelong friends who looked out for each other. Thompson said he was currently going through some financial difficulty, and Jones had let him move in with him until Thompson could get back on his feet.

"He was my best friend. No, he was more like my little brother," Thompson said.

Bessie Jones said no matter how outraged people are by her grandson's death, anger and violence are not the answer.

"Let's be peaceful," she said. "We don't have to hurt one another. I don't care what color you are - love me and I'll love you."

Staff Writer Kevin Aldridge contributed.

E-mail scoolidge@enquirer.com

[Holly_P]

I found myself thinking: "How is it this guy didn't end up as pope?"

He's not Polish.

[Xenalyte]

I can't believe I'll be the first person to make fun of the name "Tyrique"!

[river rat]

I guess it's a good thing I'm not a policeman..
I'd have shot the bastard the minute he attacked my fellow officer....
They spent too much time beating the drug crazed attacker -- how much physical abuse must our police take before their own life becomes the priority?

Then, I heard someone on TV complain that neither of the officers attempted to give CPR when they noticed he wasn't breathing.... How in hell do you give CPR to a whale --- Mouth to Mouth?....... Not me brother...

Semper Fi

[HitmanLV]

Yes, this is a sad situation. I don't think anyone wanted this poor slob to die. It was an unfortunate incident and a shame that he died, drug addict or not.

Clearly he was violent with the police. Granny can't deny that. The alternative was that he was allowed to get violent with the cops, and one or more of them would have been hurt or worse.

I feel bad from her loss - from her point of view, she is being entirely sincere.

[Luke Skyfreeper]

From the previous article, I kind of was under the impression that Skippy had devoted his life to a deadly mix of angel dust, cocaine, and White Castle burgers.

[Bullish]

Why do blacks make excuses for black criminals....

Because, to some blacks it's all about hate whitey. Nothing else matters much to them.

Whitey's to blame for ALL of their problems. They're not responsible for anything that happens to them because it's all caused by white racism.

[dmcnash]

I have had a few black friends. They tend to be very loyal, loyal to the degree that they will defend you even when they know you are wrong. I have also observed that black family ties are an order of magnitude stronger. I believe this behavior extends to race and community to a large degree. It's tribal culture for lack of a PC term.

[mlmr]

He's all I had," Bessie Jones said breaking down in tears


She had a lot.

[mlmr]

The kids knew who their dad was and they never wanted for anything," said Jeff Thompson, Jones' roommate.



Now if that isn't the epitome of Fatherly Virture, I don't know what is....

[cyborg]

Denial is a terrible thing.

[TexNotMex]

"Then, I heard someone on TV complain that neither of the officers attempted to give CPR when they noticed he wasn't breathing"

I was watching the news and saw the tape. After a while in the lower left hand corner, you can see someone giving him CPR. I don't know if it was a cop though.

"I'd have shot the bastard the minute he attacked my fellow officer"

I would have done the same.

[doubleA]

Nathaniel "Skippy" Jones is the racist one. He called the policeman, "White boy" and "Redneck". That gets glossed over. And the police addressed him as "Sir", when they noticed he was unconscious and were trying to awaken him. How can these activists hope to have any credibility at all?

[sunryse]

i/"Everyone who knew him, loved him," said his aunt, Diane Payton. "I have never seen him violent, I know the way he handled his children. This was just not him." i/

Shame that the police couldn't know this lovable fella. Apparently his family didn't know him on PCP and embalming fluid.

[sunryse]

Opps, first attempt at HTML.

[AUH2OY2K]

Yes, he was a good boy, indeed.


Attorney - Plaintiff BRADLEY GREENBERG P55568
Attorney - Defendant R DAVID OTTO 38053
Judge - RICHARD A NIEHAUS 33
STATE OF OHIO vs. NATHANIEL J JONES
$3,000 10%*
STATE OF OHIO

vs.
NATHANIEL J JONES
522 WARDS CORNER RD Municipal #: /98/CRA/538/A,B
LOVE OH 0 Bond Amt: $1,500.00 10% CASH

Race:BLACK - AFRICAN AMERICAN Sex:M Age:41 DOB:4/17/1962
Filed:1/28/1998 4 - SUMMONS ON INDICTMENT
Count:1 POSSESSION OF COCAINE 2925-11A ORCN
Disp:7/30/1998 3D DISMISSAL
Count:2 POSSESSION OF COCAINE 2925-11A ORCN
Disp:4/24/1998 CC COMMUNITY CONTROL

IMAGE DATE DESCRIPTION AMOUNT

---

1/6/1998 CHARGED-FP CARD TO BCI
1/6/1998 WHEN OCCURED DATE/TIME
1/6/1998 ARREST DATE/TIME
**** (Arrest does not necessarily mean physical arrest,
but may just be the issuance of a citation.)
1/6/1998 WARRANT/SUMMONS
1/7/1998 CRIMINAL 10% BOND DEPOSIT SHARON GOGGINS /98/CRA/538/A 191.00-
1/7/1998 BOND POSTED IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,500.00 MCR TEN PERCENT SHARON GOGGINS Receipt: 981300000215 4281 READING RD CINCINNATI OH 45237 /98/CRA/538/A
1/7/1998 BOND POSTED IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,500.00 MCR TEN PERCENT SHARON GOGGINS Receipt: 981300000215 4281 READING RD CINCINNATI OH 45237 /98/CRA/538/B
1/7/1998 CRIMINAL 10% BOND DEPOSIT SHARON GOGGINS /98/CRA/538/B 191.00-
1/28/1998 INDICTMENT REPORTED AND FILED. INDICTMENT FOR COUNT 1: 2925-11A ORCN POSSESSION OF COCAINE COUNT 2: 2925-11A ORCN POSSESSION OF COCAINE
1/28/1998 PRECIPE FOR SUMMONS FILED AND SUMMONS ISSUED.
1/28/1998 INDICTED
1/29/1998 JUDGE ASSIGNED CASE ROLLED TO NIEHAUS/RICHARD/A PRIMARY
2/5/1998 CAPIAS ORDERED B 9800550--2
2/6/1998 SIMON L. LEIS JR., SHERIFF: SUMMONS RETURNED, NOT FOUND ON SAID DEFENDANT BY BEA MITCHELL, DEPUTY
2/6/1998 CAPIAS ORDERED B 9800550--1
128 2/6/1998

---

*ENTRY ORDERING BOND * *FORFEITED AND WARRANT * *ISSUED *

---

BOND $6,000
22 2/13/1998 ENTRY SETTING ASIDE CAPIAS AND SETTING BOND $1500 @ 10%
2/13/1998 CAPIAS RECALLED -RETURNED B 9800550--2
2/13/1998 CAPIAS RECALLED -RETURNED B 9800550--1
2/17/1998 CAPIAS RECALLED -RETURNED B 9800550--1
2/17/1998 WARRANT RETURNED AND FILED.
2/17/1998 CAPIAS RECALLED -RETURNED B 9800550--2
124 2/20/1998 WAIVER OF PRESENCE OF DEFENDANT AT ARRAIGNMENT $1,500 @ 10%
136 2/20/1998 ENTRY RETAINING COUNSEL WILLIAM AL'UQDAH
2/26/1998 REQUEST FOR BILL OF PARTICULARS
2/26/1998 DEFENDANT'S REQUEST FOR DISCLOSURE OF FAVORABLE EVIDENCE PURSUANT TO RULE 16(B)(1)(F) OF THE OHIO RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURES
2/26/1998 DEMAND FOR DISCOVERY
119 3/4/1998 ENTRY OF CONTINUANCE 3/26/98
181 3/26/1998 ENTRY APPOINTING COMMUNITY DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT CENTER FOR EXAMINATION
3/26/1998 CONVICTED BY PLEA B 9800550--2
113 3/26/1998 ENTRY WITHDRAWING PLEA OF NOT GUILTY AND ENTERING PLEA OF GUILTY CT 2 POSS.COCAINE F-4 2925.11 DISMISS CT 1
3/26/1998 SENT DEF PND PRB INV B 9800550--2
273 3/26/1998 ENTRY ORDERING PROBATION INVESTIGATION AND REPORT. DRUG EVAL. ORDERED. SENT SET 4/24/98
195 4/24/1998 ENTRY OF DISMISSAL COUNT ONE
181 4/24/1998 FELONY SENTENCING FINDINGS
4/24/1998 CHARGE DISMISSED B 9800550--1
4/24/1998 SENTENCED Count 2: POSSESSION OF COCAINE COMMUNITY CONTROL: 3 Yrs INTENSIVE SUPERVISION TALBERT HOUSE IN-PATIENT PROGRAM. OBTAIN/MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT. PAY COSTS. DRIVER'S LICENSE SUSPENSION: 6 Mos
349 4/24/1998 JUDGMENT ENTRY: SENTENCE TO COMMUNITY CONTROL
5/21/1998 FILING
6/12/1998 MONEY RECEIVED & COST PAID BY NATHANIEL JONES/// SHARON GOGGINS 5.70-
6/12/1998 SUNDRY ( CHECK ISSUED TO : ) SHARON GOGGINS Checkno 111640 /98/CRA/538/B 135.00
6/12/1998 SUNDRY ( CHECK ISSUED TO : ) SHARON GOGGINS Checkno 111640 /98/CRA/538/A 176.00
7/16/1998 REPORT OF PROBATION VIOLATION.
102 7/20/1998 ENTRY APPOINTING COUNSEL R.DONALD OTTO
116 7/30/1998 FELONY SENTENCING FINDINGS PROBATION VIOLATION
268 7/30/1998 JUDGMENT ENTRY: SENTENCE: INCARCERATION: SENTENCED
7/30/1998 SENTENCED Count 2: POSSESSION OF COCAINE CONFINEMENT: 1 Yrs DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS HOLD FOR MONDAY PROG EVAL DEFENDANT REMANDED. SET FOR MONDAY REVIEW ON 8/27/98 AT 9:30 A.M.
155 8/6/1998 ENTRY AND ORDER; EXECUTION OF SENTENCE IS HELD IN ABEYANCE AND DEFT. REMANDED TO CUSTODY OF SHERIFF PENDING EVALUATION FOR MONDAY PROGRAM.
129 9/3/1998 FELONY SENTENCING FINDINGS
22 9/17/1998 SUSPENSION FOR MONDAY PROGRAM
363 9/26/1998 ENTRY APPROVING COUNSEL FEES $90
7/7/1999 MONEY RECEIVED FROM PROBATION 197.90-
301 12/7/1999 ENTRY DISCHARGING FROM PROBATION AND RESTORING RIGHTS OF CITIZENSHIP. ISP
12/7/1999 DISCH BY ORD OF CRT B 9800550--2

TICKET INQUIRY
Ticket #: 75/3037918 Item: 0
Case #: /98/TRD/962
Date: 01/06/1998 01:48 AM
Location: 875 LINCOLN AV CINC HA
Status: INACTIVE
Disp: CHARGE DISMISSED
Disp Date: 02-05-1998
Section: 506-46/CMCN PEDESTRIAN VIOLATION
Charge: 3010 PEDESTRIAN VIOLATION
Facts:
Plate: Expires:
Make/Model:
Officer: Badge:
Amt Received:
Date Received:
Defendant: JONES/NATHANIEL/J
Address: 522 WARDS CORNER RD
: LOVE OH 00000
DOB: 04/17/1962 Sex: M
Ht: 506 Wt: 200
Eyes: BROWN Hair: BLACK

---

JOURNAL /98/TRD/962

---

1/6/1998 CITED


Hamilton County Clerk of Courts
B 9800550
Attorney - Plaintiff BRADLEY GREENBERG P55568
Attorney - Defendant R DAVID OTTO 38053
Judge - RICHARD A NIEHAUS 33
STATE OF OHIO vs. NATHANIEL J JONES
$3,000 10%*
STATE OF OHIO
vs.
NATHANIEL J JONES
522 WARDS CORNER RD Municipal #: /98/CRA/538/A,B
LOVE OH 0 Bond Amt: $1,500.00 10% CASH

Race:BLACK - AFRICAN AMERICAN Sex:M Age:41 DOB:4/17/1962
Filed:1/28/1998 4 - SUMMONS ON INDICTMENT
Count:1 POSSESSION OF COCAINE 2925-11A ORCN
Disp:7/30/1998 3D DISMISSAL
Count:2 POSSESSION OF COCAINE 2925-11A ORCN
Disp:4/24/1998 CC COMMUNITY CONTROL

IMAGE DATE DESCRIPTION AMOUNT

---

1/6/1998 CHARGED-FP CARD TO BCI
1/6/1998 WHEN OCCURED DATE/TIME
1/6/1998 ARREST DATE/TIME
**** (Arrest does not necessarily mean physical arrest,
but may just be the issuance of a citation.)
1/6/1998 WARRANT/SUMMONS
1/7/1998 CRIMINAL 10% BOND DEPOSIT SHARON GOGGINS /98/CRA/538/A 191.00-
1/7/1998 BOND POSTED IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,500.00 MCR TEN PERCENT SHARON GOGGINS Receipt: 981300000215 4281 READING RD CINCINNATI OH 45237 /98/CRA/538/A
1/7/1998 BOND POSTED IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,500.00 MCR TEN PERCENT SHARON GOGGINS Receipt: 981300000215 4281 READING RD CINCINNATI OH 45237 /98/CRA/538/B
1/7/1998 CRIMINAL 10% BOND DEPOSIT SHARON GOGGINS /98/CRA/538/B 191.00-
1/28/1998 INDICTMENT REPORTED AND FILED. INDICTMENT FOR COUNT 1: 2925-11A ORCN POSSESSION OF COCAINE COUNT 2: 2925-11A ORCN POSSESSION OF COCAINE
1/28/1998 PRECIPE FOR SUMMONS FILED AND SUMMONS ISSUED.
1/28/1998 INDICTED
1/29/1998 JUDGE ASSIGNED CASE ROLLED TO NIEHAUS/RICHARD/A PRIMARY
2/5/1998 CAPIAS ORDERED B 9800550--2
2/6/1998 SIMON L. LEIS JR., SHERIFF: SUMMONS RETURNED, NOT FOUND ON SAID DEFENDANT BY BEA MITCHELL, DEPUTY
2/6/1998 CAPIAS ORDERED B 9800550--1
128 2/6/1998

---

*ENTRY ORDERING BOND * *FORFEITED AND WARRANT * *ISSUED *

---

BOND $6,000
22 2/13/1998 ENTRY SETTING ASIDE CAPIAS AND SETTING BOND $1500 @ 10%
2/13/1998 CAPIAS RECALLED -RETURNED B 9800550--2
2/13/1998 CAPIAS RECALLED -RETURNED B 9800550--1
2/17/1998 CAPIAS RECALLED -RETURNED B 9800550--1
2/17/1998 WARRANT RETURNED AND FILED.
2/17/1998 CAPIAS RECALLED -RETURNED B 9800550--2
124 2/20/1998 WAIVER OF PRESENCE OF DEFENDANT AT ARRAIGNMENT $1,500 @ 10%
136 2/20/1998 ENTRY RETAINING COUNSEL WILLIAM AL'UQDAH
2/26/1998 REQUEST FOR BILL OF PARTICULARS
2/26/1998 DEFENDANT'S REQUEST FOR DISCLOSURE OF FAVORABLE EVIDENCE PURSUANT TO RULE 16(B)(1)(F) OF THE OHIO RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURES
2/26/1998 DEMAND FOR DISCOVERY
119 3/4/1998 ENTRY OF CONTINUANCE 3/26/98
181 3/26/1998 ENTRY APPOINTING COMMUNITY DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT CENTER FOR EXAMINATION
3/26/1998 CONVICTED BY PLEA B 9800550--2
113 3/26/1998 ENTRY WITHDRAWING PLEA OF NOT GUILTY AND ENTERING PLEA OF GUILTY CT 2 POSS.COCAINE F-4 2925.11 DISMISS CT 1
3/26/1998 SENT DEF PND PRB INV B 9800550--2
273 3/26/1998 ENTRY ORDERING PROBATION INVESTIGATION AND REPORT. DRUG EVAL. ORDERED. SENT SET 4/24/98
195 4/24/1998 ENTRY OF DISMISSAL COUNT ONE
181 4/24/1998 FELONY SENTENCING FINDINGS
4/24/1998 CHARGE DISMISSED B 9800550--1
4/24/1998 SENTENCED Count 2: POSSESSION OF COCAINE COMMUNITY CONTROL: 3 Yrs INTENSIVE SUPERVISION TALBERT HOUSE IN-PATIENT PROGRAM. OBTAIN/MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT. PAY COSTS. DRIVER'S LICENSE SUSPENSION: 6 Mos
349 4/24/1998 JUDGMENT ENTRY: SENTENCE TO COMMUNITY CONTROL
5/21/1998 FILING
6/12/1998 MONEY RECEIVED & COST PAID BY NATHANIEL JONES/// SHARON GOGGINS 5.70-
6/12/1998 SUNDRY ( CHECK ISSUED TO : ) SHARON GOGGINS Checkno 111640 /98/CRA/538/B 135.00
6/12/1998 SUNDRY ( CHECK ISSUED TO : ) SHARON GOGGINS Checkno 111640 /98/CRA/538/A 176.00
7/16/1998 REPORT OF PROBATION VIOLATION.
102 7/20/1998 ENTRY APPOINTING COUNSEL R.DONALD OTTO
116 7/30/1998 FELONY SENTENCING FINDINGS PROBATION VIOLATION
268 7/30/1998 JUDGMENT ENTRY: SENTENCE: INCARCERATION: SENTENCED
7/30/1998 SENTENCED Count 2: POSSESSION OF COCAINE CONFINEMENT: 1 Yrs DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS HOLD FOR MONDAY PROG EVAL DEFENDANT REMANDED. SET FOR MONDAY REVIEW ON 8/27/98 AT 9:30 A.M.
155 8/6/1998 ENTRY AND ORDER; EXECUTION OF SENTENCE IS HELD IN ABEYANCE AND DEFT. REMANDED TO CUSTODY OF SHERIFF PENDING EVALUATION FOR MONDAY PROGRAM.
129 9/3/1998 FELONY SENTENCING FINDINGS
22 9/17/1998 SUSPENSION FOR MONDAY PROGRAM
363 9/26/1998 ENTRY APPROVING COUNSEL FEES $90
7/7/1999 MONEY RECEIVED FROM PROBATION 197.90-
301 12/7/1999 ENTRY DISCHARGING FROM PROBATION AND RESTORING RIGHTS OF CITIZENSHIP. ISP
12/7/1999 DISCH BY ORD OF CRT B 9800550-

[Xenalyte]

I think it was Thompson (the friend) who had the financial problems, hence the "he was going through financial difficulty and Jones let him move in with him," not Jones the dead perp.

[cyborg]

Yes you are right. I am not going to question the claims of his niceness since I didn't know him. HOWEVER, niceness disppears when you have PCP,wet reefer, and all that coursing through your blood. Sucks that they're in denial. There was a similar case here in Hempstead, but it got no media attention because everyone knew the white cop was in the right. Nothing happened to this guy because all of the black cops and residents came to his defense.

[cyborg]

Where did you get all that????

[MikalM]

I can't speak for Mr. AUH, but this site is an excellent one for doing backgrounds on individuals.