Jones guilty of battery, not murder

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By Dustin Lemmon | Wednesday, January 9, 2008 10:24 AM CST | () comments

A Rock Island County jury found a Milan, Ill., man not guilty of murdering his 2-month-old son but did convict him of felony aggravated battery of a child Tuesday night.

Thomas Jones, 22, will face up to 30 years in prison when sentenced for the Class X felony charge. He will be in court Thursday to receive his sentencing date.

Jones trial, which started with jury selection Dec. 31, included testimony from police and paramedics who tended to Jones’ son, Kaydon Carlson, in September 2006. The incident was reported as a child not breathing.

Jurors deliberated for more than six hours Tuesday before reaching a verdict.

If convicted on the murder charge, Jones would have faced a mandatory sentence of life in prison.

Dustin Lemmon can be contacted at (563) 383-2493 or dlemmon@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qctimes.com.