Suspect accused of killing Indiana state trooper seeks to avoid life without parole

HENDRICKS COUNTY, Ind. — The man accused of killing Indiana State Trooper Aaron Smith claims he has an intellectual disability that should limit his punishment.

Prosecutors in Hendricks County are seeking life without parole for Eddie Jones, but that sentence will not be possible if the suspect is ruled to have an intellectual disability.

The high profile legal case has dragged on for nearly two years.

In June 2023, a high-speed police chase along Ronald Reagan Parkway turned tragic.

Videos from the Indiana Department of Transportation show the driver of a stolen SUV swerving to the right, killing state trooper Aaron Smith, who was deploying stop sticks.

The driver, Jones, was charged with murder because prosecutors insist he intentionally hit trooper Smith.

According to court records filed Wednesday in Hendricks County, the suspect’s attorneys are asking a judge to rule on the accused killer’s mental status, claiming Jones has an intellectual disability.

In the motion and petition, the defense insists Jones has been examined by an expert psychologist who found the suspect has significantly below average intellectual functioning.

“Indiana believes if you have an intellectual disability, it would be cruel and unusual to punish you for life without parole,” said attorney Mario Massillamany.

Massillamany isn’t connected to the case, but said even if Jones has an intellectual disability, he can still be convicted of murder for causing the fatal crash. He just can’t be ordered to spend the rest of his life behind bars.

“For murder in Indiana, you’re still facing 45 to 65 years in jail. He just can’t be sentenced to life without parole,” said Massillamany.

While Jones’ fate remains undecided, a passenger in the stolen car, Demareon Curry, was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison in June after pleading guilty to resisting law enforcement.

Prosecutors have not yet responded to the motion, but the defense argues if more testing is done it would delay the trial, which right now is set to begin in late August.