Teen charged in murder was enrolled in anti-crime program

Associated Press:

After Tyrone Jones enrolled in a summer jobs program designed to curb youth violence, the 18-year-old told a reporter that he hoped the work would keep him out of trouble.

Jones was only a week away from completing the state-funded "One Youth, One Job" program in Springfield when he was arrested last Sunday and charged with killing another teen in a drive-by shooting.

Jones, a high-school dropout with a criminal record, pleaded innocent to murdering Emmanuel Weeks Jr., 18, and wounding another teen.

Jones was one of eight teens participating in the 10-week program. The Massachusetts Career Development Institute launched the program following a spike in violent crime in Springfield two years ago.

Lorenzo Gaines, the program's supervisor, said Jones excelled in the program and sounded optimistic about his future.

"He was talking about turning his life around," Gaines told the Republican newspaper of Springfield. "He was so positive."

The program's teens have been a fixing up a local school and a renovating a parking garage.

"I don't mind the work," Jones told a reporter near the start of the program. "As long as it keeps me out of trouble and people recognize me as a good person. I'm sick of getting locked up 24-7."

A week before the shooting, Jones appeared on "Flava," a radio talk show on WTCC-FM, to discuss the program.

The show's host, Kenneth Downes, said Jones wanted to be a role model for other teens.

"I really felt he would be one of those who would get a clue and make it out," Downes said. "But unfortunately you never know the heart of a person."

Jones' older brother, Johnny, also was enrolled in the program, but he was charged in connection with a different shooting in Springfield only days before it started.

Tragedy mars program's end