Murderer Sentenced to 145 Years

 Evansville, IN – Prosecutor Diana Moers announces that on November 17, 2023, after a week-long trial, the jury found Arthur Lee Jones IV guilty of murdering Derek Johnson and Samantha Robbins. On December 15, 2023, Jones was sentenced to 145 years in prison. Judge Leslie C. Shively of the Vanderburgh County Superior Court presided over the trial and sentencing. 

On December 19, 2021, Officers were dispatched to 1208 Marshall Avenue after a neighbor called stating a young child was wandering around saying his mother was shot dead. When Officers arrived at the home, two additional children were found inside. Derek Johnson and Samantha Robbins were found in their bedroom deceased. One of the children stated that “Uncle Art” had shot their mother. With the description the children gave to Officer JT Vancleave, detectives identified “Uncle Art” to be Arthur Lee Jones IV. 

The trial started on Monday, November 13, and closing remarks were made Friday, November 17. It was a fiery trial with the Defendant’s mother eventually removed from the courtroom due to her outbursts and the Judge threatening to remove the Defendant due to his outbursts during witness testimony. Deputy Prosecutor John Bober and Chief Deputy Prosecutor Winston Lin presented a slew of evidence indicating that Arthur Lee Jones IV had shot the couple with the intent to rob them. The Defendant’s bounty after the murder was a mere $400 and some costume jewelry. After almost four hours of deliberation on Friday, November 17, the jury found the Defendant guilty of both murder charges. 

Prosecutor Diana Moers congratulated her Deputy Prosecutor John Bober and Chief Deputy Prosecutor Winston Lin on a successful prosecution, securing the guilty verdict, and a near-maximum sentence. Moers stated, “The Defendant in this case was on parole for a violent crime a mere 65 days before he took the lives of two individuals. He took the parents away from the three children who knew the Defendant as “Uncle Art” and were in the home at the time of the murders. The children in this case were critical witnesses and are traumatized by seeing their parents dead. Arthur Jones is not fit to walk among society and will now spend the rest of his life in prison where he belongs for his evil deeds. I will never forget the brave children in this case, and I know we all live with the impact of hearing their stories.” 

Prosecutor Moers also thanked the Evansville Police Department for their excellent police work including lead Detective Anthony Aussieker and Detectives Mike Ward and Zach Oxford. “The Detectives in this case were greatly affected by seeing the small children in the home as they were the first to arrive at this horrific scene. The officers did an amazing job speaking with the children and following up on all leads immediately. I also want to thank my amazing Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office staff Chief Criminal Investigator Tony Carden, Investigators Jessica Pollock, Gage Shots, and Jennifer Savage, Evidence and Media Specialist Morgan Richardville, Paralegal Kiersten Butler, and Victim Advocate Robyn Mastison for their crucial assistance in this trial.” 

Prosecutor Moers noted: “It was truly a team effort to put on this grueling five-day jury trial. Honorable Judge Leslie Shively and his staff were incredible in ensuring this trial ran smoothly and that each side received their day in court.” 

At the sentencing, the prosecution recommended the max of 150 years served. Judge Leslie C. Shively of the Vanderburgh County Superior Court sentenced Arthur Lee Jones IV to 145 years.