Zamora Guilty of Capital Murder
(FORT WORTH, TEXAS - Feb. 17) After over six hours of deliberations over two days, a
Texas jury found former Navy midshipman Diane Zamora guilty of capital murder in the death of
Adrianne Jones. Because Jones's family requested that prosecutors not seek the death penalty
against her, Zamora received a mandatory sentence of life in prison. She will not be eligible
for parole until she has served at least 40 years of the sentence.
Zamora appeared stoic and did not react at all once the verdict was read. There were no
outbursts in the courtroom; it remained silent yet tense with anticipation as onlookers
awaited the jury's decision.
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The sentencing of Diane Zamora |
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After the verdict was rendered, the tearful family of Adrianne Jones addressed the court.
"I cannot begin to express the loss we suffered. We all loved Adrianne," said Bill Jones,
the victim's father. "She was energetic, vivacious...we will never know what heights she
may have reached. But we will never wonder about the pride we had in her and in our family."
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Justin Jones, victim's brother,
addresses the court |
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"My sister meant a lot to me," said Justin Jones, the victim's brother. "There were many a
thing I looked forward to doing with her...At least now there will be some closure now for my family." A tearful Justin also told the court how he had wanted to help refurbish a 1941 truck for his sister.
Judge Joe Drago III perhaps summed up the true story of this trial and its outcome with
these words to the court: "There were no winners in this case. The Jones family lost a
vivacious, energetic daughter. The Zamora family had a daughter who had been accepted in the
U.S. Naval Academy. Now she will be serving a life sentence in prison. David Graham has
been under indictment for these crimes and has been awaiting trial for over a year-and-a half.
Other non-winners include Jay Guild, who had a promising career in the Naval Academy and is
now serving pizza in Illinois." [Zamora had confessed the murder to Guild during her time
at Annapolis but he failed report her to Naval officials because he did not believe her.
This violated the Naval honor code and led to Guild's expulsion from the Naval Academy.]
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Feb. 17: Zamora's family reacts to
the verdict. |
As Zamora was led out of the court and back to prison, her family members clutched each
other and cried silently. Zamora remained stone-faced and did not look at her family.
Prosecutor Michael Parrish felt that the verdict was "justified" and called Zamora a
classic sociopath. "Diane Zamora made her choices. She had three days to change her mind,
and she decided she wanted Adrianne Jones dead and wanted David Graham to do it," Parrish said. "
In her own words, Zamora said that Jones deserved it [death]."
Parrish also said that the Jones family remained steadfast in its decision not to seek
the death penalty against Zamora throughout the ordeal. But, Parrish noted, his job is
only half-done because he must prosecute David Graham next. Graham will face trial for
his role in Jones's murder later this year. Zamora's attorney, John Linebarger, indicated that he would appeal the conviction.
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