Iowa man charged in connection with 2018 homicide in Jefferson City

The Cole County Prosecutor's Office filed charges Thursday against an Iowa man in connection with the 2018 homicide of Nilez Nichols.

Berry Jones faces charges of being an accessory to the following crimes: second-degree murder, robbery, tampering with evidence and delivery of a controlled substance.

According to a probable cause statement, Jones and two other suspects were on Stadium Boulevard near Southwest Boulevard on Nov. 19, 2018 for a drug transaction. Jones reportedly told investigators he didn't know why they were going to the location, but stayed in a vehicle with one of the other two men while the third went inside.

After more than half an hour, Jones and the other man went to check on the third suspect. Upon seeing a struggle happening inside, the man with Jones allegedly forced his way inside. At some point gunshots were fired and all three suspects ran away. The victim, identified as Nichols, died from his injuries at the scene.

According to police, everyone later met up at Jones' apartment, where Jones reportedly told the others to clear out the vehicle they used, as well as try to remove any gunshot residue using bleach and urine.

No court date for Jones has been scheduled.

In 2020, Semaj Harris, who had been charged with murder and burglary in the case, pleaded guilty to stealing a controlled substance and was sentenced to five years in prison.