Columbia man pleads guilty to reduced murder charge

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 20-year-old man was sentenced to 21 years in state prison Monday after he pleaded guilty to a reduced murder charge for a June 2023 shooting.

Alqueze M. Jones of Columbia pleaded guilty Monday to second-degree murder in a Boone County courtroom, Boone County Prosecuting Attorney Roger Johnson said. He had been charged with first-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon in connection with the death of Deshon Houston, 33.

Houston was found dead outside a home in the 3200 block of Dove Drive in Columbia on June 26, 2023.

Jones was among several men accused of shooting out of two vehicles the day Houston was shot in the head. One of the vehicles, a stolen Ford Explorer, crashed after speeding away from the scene.

Witnesses described people shooting from the SUV and someone standing up in one vehicle's sunroof and firing a gun.

Deazes Turner, 22, Deljuan Turner, 20, and Damarkus Williams, 19, were charged with first-degree murder, three counts of armed criminal action, and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon. They are being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. Hearings for all three men are scheduled for Dec. 2.

Alex Glay, 26, of Columbia, pleaded guilty last week to hindering prosecution and resisting arrest.

Glay was accused of helping Ja'Shaun Barney try to escape police on Nov. 2, 2023. Barney is charged with first-degree murder. He has a hearing set for Jan. 6.

Jajuan Crocket, 21, was charged with first-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action, first-degree vehicle tampering, accessory to stealing a gun, stealing $750 or more and tampering with evidence. He has a hearing set for Jan. 10.