Robert Monroe Babcock will go to prison for the rest of his life after a Hall County jury found him guilty of capital murder Thursday afternoon in the death of his son, Chance Mark Jones.
The jury of six men and six women deliberated for nearly an hour and a half before returning their unanimous verdict, and District Judge Stuart Messer pronounced the sentence of life without the possibility of parole.
“This verdict screams out justice for Chance,” District Attorney Luke Inman told the Enterprise. “It closes a very important chapter in Chance’s life and for the people who truly loved and cared for Chance.”
Babcock showed no emotion as the verdict and sentence were read nor when family members addressed their emotions and their feelings about him during the allocution following sentencing.
“He was a remarkable and intelligent little boy who touched everyone’s hearts with his beautiful smile,” said Heather Hill, who had raised the boy as her own son for about two years, before he went to live with his biological father. “He was so full of life and enjoyed every moment spent with the ones who loved him the most…. Chance thrived on love and affection, why would you have ever caused intentional pain and harm to a child who immediately called you, ‘Daddy?’”
Babcock has the right to appeal the verdict, but family members expressed tears because the four-year-old they loved so dearly now had received justice.
“I feel relief,” Hill told the Enterprise. “I think Chance is probably smiling now.”
Hill’s fiancé, Andrew Brown, said the verdict won’t take the pain away.
“It’s over for now,” Brown said. “We still have the pain, but at least he [Babcock] won’t hurt anyone anymore.”
Jones’ great aunt, Vicki Harrison, said she thought justice was done in the case and said she appreciated everyone who worked on the investigation and prosecution.
Jones died on January 5 of last year after Babcock beat him over an 11-day period beginning Christmas Eve. The murderer had entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, but a forensic psychologist testified that he was sane at the time of the crime, and Babcock admitted that he was responsible for the injuries Jones sustained in recorded confessions to Texas Rangers and Donley County Sheriff Butch Blackburn.
Inman gave credit for the capital murder verdict to what he called “stellar law enforcement investigation.”
“The Donley County Sheriff’s Office handled this heinous offense with superb expertise from the moment the 911 call was made by the defendant,” the district attorney said. “The sheriff’s office was assisted by not one but two experienced Texas Rangers in Jamie Downs and Jay Foster, who conducted a meticulous crime scene investigation which resulted in evidence collection that were vital tools in this prosecution.”
Although Babcock has been convicted, there is still more to come with regards to charges over Jones’ death. Babcock’s mother, Gayle Edes, is currently under indictment in Donley County and is charged with Felony Injury to a Child by Omission for her failure to get medical attention for Jones on January 3, 2011.
“Chance’s story is not over yet,” Inman said. “This book is not complete and the state will proceed forward on prosecution of all culpable parties in Chance’s life.”
By Roger Estlack, The Clarendon Enterprise. Copyright © 2012.
I would like to let everyone know that Dist. Attorney Luke Inman and his staff, did a heck of job in this case! Everyone that testified for the State did a fantastic job on the stand. This was the hardest time for me as an Officer, in my thirty years as one. I know how difficult it was for Sheriiff Blackburn and Chief Deputy Bond to investigate and testify in this case and they should commended for there work. Last but not least, I would like to say that we have the finest Dist. Judge in the State! Dist Judge Stewart Messer, presided over a sensitive and heart brakeing case, but he never wavered and I was proud to be in his court.
The family of Chance had a difficult week and would like to thank everyone for the help, support, prayers and hard work that was put in on this case. Chance had a family in and around Lubbock that loved him dearly. If only we had known the trouble he was in. THE JONES FAMILY