Lester V. Jones

Lester V. Jones died November 3, 2006 at Gilchrist Center at GBMC, Towson, MD from complications of lung cancer. Born October 18, 1932 in Kingsville, MD, he grew up and lived most of his life in Baltimore County. He attended Bradshaw and Raspeburg public schools and graduated from Kenwood High School. After serving in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1955, he went on to work as a Mechanical Engineer at Edgewood Arsenal. A 1959 graduate of the University of Baltimore Law School, (formerly known as the Mt. Vernon School of Law), Mr. Jones served as Assistant State’s Attorney in Baltimore County from 1962 until 1966. He entered private practice in 1966 with offices in Towson and Bel Air, specializing in criminal defense litigation. In 1980 Mr. Jones landed headlines when he successfully appealed the case of Bel Air policeman Donald J. Kelly in which a lie detector test was admitted as evidence against Mr. Jones’ client. Mr. Jones argued on appeal that such tests were unreliable and constitutionally should not be used as evidence to convict a defendant. He won the appeal and made new law in Maryland regarding the admissibility of like detector tests as evidence. Mr. Jones was also a politician having served in the House of Delegates from 1966 until 1975 and he was the Chairman of the Baltimore County Delegation in 1971. He served under Governors Spiro T. Agnew and Marvin J. Mandel.

Surviving are his wife, Shirley Jones (nee Schulz) of Bel Air, MD; daughter, Patricia Cates and her husband Doug Cates of Easley, SC; daughter, Karen Jones Boyle of Baldwin, MD; and three grandchildren, Douglas Cates, Hayley Boyle and Kelsey Boyle. Mr. Jones is also survived by his sister, Nellie Plott of Abingdon, MD.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Baltimore, Gilchrist Center, 6601 North Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21204