Jason B. Sheffield – Criminal Defense Notable Cases:
Murder / Homicide / Aggravated Assault

State v. John Doe (2014)

Defense Counsel:

Charges: Rape, Aggravated Assault with the Intent to Rape, Sexual Battery, False Imprisonment

Prosecution's Case:

The defendant, a university student, sexually assaulted five women: two girls were violently raped and three girls were groped on their breasts and vaginas. Defendant was facing a mandatory term of 25 years in prison, up to Life, and a lifetime on the Sex Offender Registry if he ever got out of prison.

Defense and Outcome:

The defendant adamantly denied to defense counsel that he forced himself on anyone. The investigation into each girl revealed that several girls had mental issues and were seeking attention. No girl ever reported the defendant for violent or assaultive behavior until they were publicly asked by police. One alleged rape victim used the false allegation to heel her fractured relationship with her boyfriend because she had cheated on him with the defendant. The other alleged rape victim who stated the defendant raped her 11 times was a lesbian who was “trying” intercourse with the defendant. She was angry about their break up and jealous. Psychological testing revealed the defendant was not a dangerous sexual predator or into sexual violence. After 4 months of intensive investigation and testing, defense counsel met with the chief of police. He chose not to arrest the defendant and closed his investigation. The University suspended but did not expel the defendant.

State v. John Doe: (2013)

Defense Counsel:

Charges: Aggravated Assault

Prosecution's Case:

The defendant assaulted a woman by having intercourse with her without her consent.

Defense and Outcome:

Following Defense Counsel’s investigation of facts, interviewing of fact witnesses, working with medical experts, preparation of case for trial, and presentation of evidence to the District Attorney, the lead detective, in conjunction with the District Attorney’s Office, agreed not to arrest the defendant.

State v. John Doe (2011)

Defense Counsel:

Charges: Aggravated Assault

Prosecution's Case:

The defendant grabbed his girlfriend's throat of and punched her.

Defense and Outcome:

Defense investigation demonstrated that the alleged victim had no marks consistent with the alleged assault, that she made inconsistent statements about the alleged assault, that she was acting inconsistent with a person who had actually been assaulted in the manner described, and that rather than being a true victim, she was scorned by defendant’s decision to terminate their intimate relationship and seek friendship only. Defense also spoke with other witnesses who would counter other allegations made by the alleged victim that defendant had gotten violent with them too. The police agreed not to seek arrest warrants.

State v. John Doe (2008)

Defense Counsel:

Charges: Murder

Prosecution's Case:

The thirty-one year-old mother of five was accused of murdering her 18 month daughter by either kicking or punching her in the ribs, causing her ribs to fracture and lacerate her liver, which caused her to bleed to death. At the time of the state's investigation into the defendant, the defendant also had four other children ranging in age from 3 to 14 years old, whom DFCS took from the defendant and into DFCS custody pending the outcome of the investigation.

Defense and Outcome:

The defense immediately learned of the defendant's children's statements made to police and DFCS investigators, wherein her six-year old son stated initially that he had accidentally fallen on top of his 18 month old sister and crushed her ribs against a tricycle handlebar. In fact, he was pretending to be a "wrestler" and body-slammed his baby sister. Defense worked with the defendant's family and neighbors to show investigators that defendant was a good mother to her children and worked with an independent medical expert who confirmed that the six-year-old boy could cause the type of injury seen in the deceased child in the manner he described. After five months having to endure a brutal investigation against her for the murder of her own daughter, the state dropped their investigation and returned the defendant's remaining children to her where they could finally mourn their loss as a family.

State v. John Doe: (2013)

Defense Counsel:

Charges: Aggravated Assault With Intent to Rape

Prosecution's Case:

The defendant assaulted a woman by tackling her to the ground, punching her in the face, and threatening to rape her.

Defense and Outcome:

Following Defense Counsel’s investigation of facts, working with medical experts, preparation of case for trial, and presentation of evidence to the District Attorney, the District Attorney agreed in presentation of case to Grand Jury to include evidence from defendant's investigation. The Grand Jury dismissed all charges against the defendant.

State v. John Doe (2010)

Defense Counsel:

Charges: Aggravated Assault; Kidnapping

Prosecution's Case:

The defendant violently assaulted the mother of his new born son by punching, kicking, and stomping on her body and by dragging her by the legs and arms around his apartment, causing her severe rug burns to her elbows and shoulder blades.

Defense and Outcome:

This case centered on a custody dispute between non-married parents of a newborn child and the alleged victim’s history of lies, violent behavior, and alcohol abuse. On the morning after consuming large amounts of alcohol, the alleged victim called 911 and reported that “some guy she didn’t really know kip-napped her baby.” The “guy” she alleged was, in fact, the child’s biological father (here the defendant), with whom she actually left the child the night before while she went out drinking. This lie became the center piece to the defendant’s defense. Defense investigation also revealed the nature of the alleged victim’s history of lies, violence, and alcohol abuse and that the alleged victim had also previously falsely accused other people of wrongdoing. Also, using the police reports, 911 phone calls, and the 911 Call Center’s “CAD Reports,” the defense was able to show the prosecuting attorney’s office not only that the alleged victim lied about the kidnapping, but also that she failed to report altogether any abuse by the defendant when speaking to police about the alleged “kidnapping.” The defense also found and revealed to the prosecution a paternity affidavit from the State of Washington wherein the alleged victim swore that the defendant was, in fact, the child’s biological father, further demonstrating her lie in the case that “some guy” kin-napped her baby. Lastly, defense proved that the alleged victim mutilated herself during her drunken tirade and that the carpet burns were from her convulsing about the floor. The prosecution declined to formally charge the case and dismissed the arrest charges.

State v. John Doe (2009)

Defense Counsel:

Charges: Aggravated Assault

Prosecution's Case:

A corporate executive, husband, and father of two high school girls threatened and assaulted a teenage boy with a baseball bat for slandering his daughter’s sexual reputation.

Defense and Outcome:

An intense, round-the-clock investigation stopped an indictment by proving to the state that the alleged victim in the case was not only a drug user and dealer, but a liar who was exaggerating the "talk" the defendant had with him about calling the defendant’s daughter a whore. Other eye witnesses confirmed that, although the defendant had a bat with him during the conversation, he never swung it at the alleged victim or threatened him with it. He merely had it with him for protection should the "drug dealing" ex-boyfriend (twice the defendant's size) choose to attack the defendant. The case was never presented to the Grand Jury and the arrest was expunged.

State v. John Doe: (2013)

Defense Counsel:

Charges: Aggravated Sexual Battery, Aggravated Assault

Prosecution's Case:

The defendant penetrated the anus of another student with a mop handle while in the gymnasium showers.

Defense and Outcome:

Following Defense Counsel’s intensive review of the medical records, consultation with medical experts (a forensic pathologist and a colon-rectal surgeon), and interviews of witnesses, Defense Counsel was able to demonstrate that the mop handle did not penetrate the anus of the other student. The defendant pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault charges and did not have to register as a sex offender.

State v. Jane Doe (2010)

Defense Counsel:

Charges: Armed Robbery; Kidnapping; Aggravated Assault

Prosecution's Case:

The 21-year-old defendant and girl-friend aided and abetted her boyfriend by driving the "get-a-way" vehicle after her boyfriend and two other men kidnapped two individuals, duct-taped them, and placed them in the truck of her car.

Defense and Outcome:

Defense investigation revealed an extensive and documented history of abuse by the defendant's boyfriend of her, including police reports and other court filings, photographs of prior injuries and property damage, which supported her explanation that she was threatened and forced to assist him in the robbery and kidnapping. The state agreed to reduce the charge to burglary, first offenders, and 2 years of probation without having to admit any criminal liability.

State v. Jane Doe (2008)

Defense Counsel:

Charges: Aggravated Battery

Prosecution's Case:

Defendant committed a battery on another woman by hitting her in the face, bruising the woman and lacerating her scalp.

Defense and Outcome:

Defense investigation revealed that while the alleged victim had bruises on her face and a cut on her scalp, the defendant had none, which supported the state's position that the defendant was the aggressor. After searching extensively for a "missing witness," defense was able to introduce the State to another witness who allegedly saw the incident. In fact, the defendant did commit the battery, but only in self defense. It was the alleged victim who had started a fight with defendant. While confused at the marks on the victim, the State ultimately agreed with the defense that the defendant was simply better at defending herself than the alleged victim was at attacking the defendant.

State v. John Doe (2008)

Defense Counsel:

Charges: Armed Robbery

Prosecution's Case:

Defendant committed an armed robbery on his cousin at gunpoint and stole $1600, which the cousin was going to use to pay his own rent.

Defense and Outcome:

Defendant had a prior armed robbery conviction and a second armed robbery charge, which had been reduced to Robbery. If found guilty, the defendant would never be released from prison. He had two small children and a wife. Defense investigated the case and learned through other witnesses that that the cousin had lied about the robbery; he was trying to get the defendant to pay him back $400 the defendant had borrowed from him. He thought calling the police would "scare" the defendant into action. For four months, while defendant sat in jail without a bond, defense found numerous witnesses and was able to show the State that the charges were based on a lie. The state chose to dismiss the indictment and free the defendant from jail. The defendant does not speak to his cousin anymore.

State v. John Doe (2018)

Defense Counsel:

Charges: Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Poss. Firearm During Commission of a Felony, Carrying Concealed Weapon, Carrying a Weapon Without a Permit

Prosecution's Case:

Defendant won a $2 bet during a pool game but victim refused to pay. The defendant felt disrespected and plotted to get his money back or kill the victim for disrespecting him. When the victim didn't pay up, the defendant shot him in cold blood.

Defense and Outcome:

After 3 days of jury selection and 5 days of witness testimony, the jury learned that the alleged victim was high on alcohol and cocaine and had a history of violence against others. On the night of the shooting, the defendant tried countless times to walk away from the alleged victim. The defendant did not care about the $2. The victim placed the defendant in a headlock and then charged at him like he had a gun behind his back. The defendant pulled out his pistol and shot the alleged victim from 6 inches away. The jury acquitted the defendant.

State v. John Doe (2007)

Defense Counsel:

Charges: Arson; Aggravated Assault; Cruelty to the Children; False Imprisonment

Prosecution's Case:

The defendant held his wife and four children at gun point, refused to let them leave the home, set his couch on fire and tried to throw his wife on the burning couch, and then burned the home to the ground.

Defense and Outcome:

The defense presented evidence over two days, which included cross-examination of all state’s witnesses, which revealed prior inconsistent statements, ill motives, and outright lies. After one hour of deliberation, the jury acquitted defendant of all charges. Not Guilty on all counts.

State v. John Doe (2014)

Defense Counsel:

Charges: Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault

Prosecution's Case:

The defendant was represented by other counsel at trial. Although the defendant claimed self-defense, he was convicted of Murder, Felony Murder and Aggravated Assault and sentenced to Life in prison.

Defense and Outcome:

Mr. Sheffield was successful in convincing the trial judge to set aside all convictions after hearing testimony from several experts about the alleged victim's use of alcohol and cocaine on the night of the shooting and learning that one of the jurors was a convicted felon. Motion for New Trial granted.