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71-year-old pleads guilty to murdering her husband, disabled son

Posted at 7:39 PM, Nov 20, 2012
and last updated 2012-11-20 19:39:26-05

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) – A Chesterfield County senior accused of murdering her husband and disabled son could likely spend the rest of her life behind bars.

71-year-old Estelle Jones pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of first degree murder  and one count of second degree murder.

In a previous court hearing, Jones told a detective her husband said , “he could have married someone better” during an argument in April inside their home on River Road .

She admits to shooting him several times and then strangling her 50-year-old deaf and mentally ill son with a belt, out of fear he would not have anyone to care for him.

Investigators say Jones tried to use the same belt to kill herself, but called police after a failed suicide attempt.

According to Duncan Minton, with the Chesterfield Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, sentencing guidelines call for Jones to face 30 to 35 years in prison, “but this is not necessarily a guidelines case.”

Jones’ sentencing is set for February 19th at 1 p.m.