Defendant convicted in 2017 Elk Grove drug deal murder

A defendant accused of a July 2017 murder was convicted yesterday in a jury trial at Sacramento County Superior Court. 

The defendant, Michael Terrel Jones, 31, formerly of Citrus Heights, was found guilty of the second-degree murder of Manuel Tellez and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The jury also determined that Jones personally used a firearm causing death.

On July 3, Tellez drove to the Avery Garden apartment complex on Elk Grove Boulevard near Bruceville Road intending to sell marijuana to Jones. The victim was seated in the driver’s seat of his van when Jones entered the back seat.

Soon after, Jones shot the Tellez who returned fire with his own handgun, striking Jones multiple times. Tellez died at the scene.

Jones fled to a hospital for medical assistance, discarding his gun on the way. Later when Jones was in custody, detectives from the Elk Grove Police Department heard Jones on a phone call describing the location of the firearm and with the assistance of a K-9, located the weapon. 

Jones faces a maximum sentence of 40 years to life in prison. Sentencing is set for June 4, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. in Department 27 before Judge Steven Gevercer.

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