INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The state is convening a grand jury next Tuesday to consider formal first-degree murder charges against former PNC Wealth Management employee Michael David Jones.
Jones, who is accused of strangling Sebastian River Medical Center nurse Diana Duve and leaving her body in the trunk of her car in a Melbourne parking lot, pled not guilty last month and requested a jury trial. In order to proceed with first-degree murder charges, the state must obtain an indictment by the grand jury because Florida is a death penalty state.
Chief Assistant State Attorney Tom Bakkedahl said he could not comment about the state’s case against Jones as presented in the 22-page complaint released last week. “At this point in time the discovery is going to have to speak for itself,” he said.
Bakkedahl said Indian River County has its own grand jury, which has a total of 21 jurors, at least 15 of whom must be present for any session. Proceedings are held in secret at the Indian River County Courthouse with, on average, five to 10 witnesses being called to give testimony. Jurors are also given a lengthy explanation of the law as it pertains to the case and to the indictment. After that, jurors deliberate until they agree on whether or not they think there is sufficient evidence to indict.
“Generally, it’s all concluded that day, by late afternoon,” Bakkedahl said. “Once an indictment is returned, it will be read in public.”
