Spokane7
58°
June 11, 2009 in City
Man pleads guilty in killing
Victim was trying to break up fight outside downtown Spokane tavern
Just as his murder trial was set to begin, Matthew R. Jones pleaded guilty Wednesday in connection with a shooting on Halloween night that killed a 22-year-old man who was trying to break up a fight outside The Blvd Tavern in downtown Spokane.
A jury had already been selected to hear the case in which Jones, 25, faced one count of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder in connection with the Nov. 1 shooting. Two people were injured and 22-year-old Joshua Ridgely was killed outside the tavern at 333 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. Another suspect, 24-year-old Jonathan Espinoza, is scheduled for trial in September.
Jones pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and drive-by shooting. Deputy Prosecutor Eugene Cruz said he would seek the low end of the sentencing range, about 10 years in prison, at Jones’ sentencing July 6 before Superior Court Judge Michael Price.
Ridgely’s older sister, Jessica Streufert, said her family was pleased with the plea agreement.
Her brother “was just being a good guy and was at the wrong place at the wrong time,” Streufert said. “He was just trying to help.”
According to police reports, a fight had erupted outside the tavern, and Ridgely and his friends tried to intervene on behalf of a person who was being severely beaten.
Jones also witnessed the fight and said he pulled out a gun and fired it in the air to try to stop it. Espinoza then took the gun and began firing into the crowd, according to police, striking Ridgely in the chest. Bullets also hit Ryan Jackson and Michelle Wilcox, who were treated at a hospital and released.
Jones’ mother, Cheri Jones, disagreed with her son’s decision to take the plea. She said he never intended for anyone to get hurt.
Matthew Jones took the plea “because he was scared he was going to get life in prison,” she said, weeping. “He has three children at home. They keep asking me where their dad’s at. I don’t know what to tell them. He was trying to stop the fight.”
Streufert said a sentence of 10 years would fit the crime.
“There are consequences for your actions, whether you wanted to hurt anybody or not,” she said.
If there is a lesson in her brother’s death, Streufert said, it’s that it is honorable to step away from a situation and let others handle it.
“It doesn’t make you a bad person to turn away … and call the cops,” she said.
WSU police investigate third suspicious fire 
philipgregory on June 11 at 7:31 a.m.
Another INJUSTICE from our COURT system!
Sentenced to 10 years means 7 at most.
Locked up for 7 years for MURDER???
The court system is what is most CRIMINAL!
chuckkjoness on July 26 at 1:26 a.m.
Matthew is my Nephew and he certainly was NOT smart in hanging out with a nut job that decided to shoot these people. The only thing Matthew is quilty of is being Stupid! Stupid and not knowledgable of the ways of the world and how things like this could happen to you. If he were… he would have not been hangin out with an out-of-control so called friend. However, I know of how the court system works there in Spokane and across this country. I personally had a little run-in with them several years ago when I lived there. They are however the perfect example of what is wrong with this countries legal system. All they really want to do is LOCK THEM UP! No matter the situation. The more time they can put under their belt… the more of a chance they can become a judge or increase their position in the future for higher office. It’s not about justice anymore. Not by a long shot. Matthew tried to stop the fight and everyone knew this even the DA. The real shooter was his so-called friend. Matthew had no intention (intent) for any harm to come to anyone. Quite the oppisite! Once again…. he tried to stop the fight. It wasn’t his fault. He took the Plea because of how screwed up this system is cause if he did go to trial….. he actually could have lost even though he was not guilty. This is based on the over-zelious prosecutorial misconduct of the DAs. They will not present the truth to the jury. They just want more convictions as I said…. they do not give a rats. It’s all good for them. Why they can indight a ham sandwich and convict anyone of being a turkey. But no one seems to care. Just lock him up! Streufert said a sentence of 10 years would fit the crime. How is this joker anywise? What a joke. What an injustice. What an OUTRAGE. What crime. For trying to help someone from getting beat to death ? You all have the oppertunity of scewing the facts because you are part of the SYSTEM and just because Matthew was there…. he is considered quilty? What has this country come to ? Well… the country… this country (criminal system) has been this way for some time. Nothing has seemed to change. What will it take to turn this court system around? How many more innocent people do we have to lock up ? In fact…. How can you prosecuters look yourself in the mirror for your actions and continue with your dirty deeds ?. Have you no moral values? Of course not. In the end… you will be judged by the creator of everything that is. He very well may judge you as you have judged others. Thats kinda how he works. May God have mercy on your soles.
ashleyjackson on April 28 at 8:25 a.m.
for one who pulls out a gun to stop a fight ! that is just asking for some d*** a** to take it and shot someone . and why does he have a gun in the first place at a bar , he pulled out the gun and shoot making his friend see it and take it then use it .he got what he deserved. he has a long time to think about how he needs to change his friends and change his life so when he gets out he can take care of his kids and not be pulling guns out . josh had family to and he was a godfather and missed so bad i wish you guys could have seen how many people where at the crevices 300+ josh was a great guy and should still be here to share his smile . if jones would have left the gun at home he would still be here with us . my son asks me all the time if he can go and see josh and we have to tell him he is in the sky ,. at lest jones kids can see him in a jail . we well never have a chance to spend time with josh again . only pics . josh never had a chance to have kids , or get married or any of the things he talked about .
….. WE LOVE YOU JOSH……… and miss you TONS