Man pleads not guilty to robbery
KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 9 months AGO
Kaye Thornbrugh is a second-generation Kootenai County resident who has been with the Coeur d’Alene Press for six years. She primarily covers Kootenai County’s government, as well as law enforcement, the legal system and North Idaho College. | April 8, 2021 1:00 AM
COEUR d’ALENE — A man held on $100,000 bail after allegedly breaking into his former girlfriend’s home pleaded not guilty to all charges on Wednesday.
Jesse Jones, 26, of Coeur d’Alene, is charged with robbery, battery with intent to commit a serious felony and burglary, all felonies. He is also charged with domestic battery and obstructing officers, both misdemeanors.
The charges stem from Feb. 13, when police responded to a report that Jones had kicked in the front door of the residence where his former girlfriend lived with their baby.
Police said Jones had previously made “vague threats” to his ex and his ex’s roommate.
When police arrived at the Coeur d’Alene apartment complex where the incident occurred, they reportedly found the front door broken off its hinges. The deadbolt was damaged and the door was dented, police said.
Jones’ ex and her roommate said they were in the living room when Jones began pounding on the door, demanding to be let inside.
The roommate said she called 911 and loaded her handgun while Jones’ ex locked herself in another room with her baby.
Jones then allegedly kicked in the door, entered the apartment and refused to leave. He pushed the roommate down the hall, she said, forcing her to back up.
When she had no more room to retreat, she said she put the gun against Jones’ stomach and pulled the trigger. She told police she feared Jones would kill his ex and their baby if he reached them.
The gun clicked, she said, but didn’t fire.
Jones allegedly took the gun, though the roommate said she was able to release the magazine before he did so. He also took cellphones belonging to his ex and her roommate before leaving the apartment, the roommate said.
The gun was later found outside the apartment.
Jones’ ex told police she believed Jones was going to harm her baby, as well as kill her and her roommate.
Police located Jones elsewhere in the apartment complex and arrested him.
During contact with police, Jones allegedly said, “When I get out, I’m beating the f— out of her.”
Judge Lansing Haynes denied a motion Wednesday to reduce Jones’ bond from $100,000.
A jury trial in the case is scheduled to begin Aug. 3.
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