A man has had his murder case dismissed after spending over 25 years on death row. Prosecutors scrapped the case on Friday (December 12) after it was determined they failed to hand over crucial evidence to the legal team of the accused.

Elwood Jones was previously convicted of aggravated murder, robbery and burglary after Rhoda Nathan, 67, died at a hotel in Blue Ash, Cincinnati, in 1994. After spending 28 years behind bars, and 26 on death row, a judge awarded him a fresh trial in December 2022. It has now been confirmed that his case has been thrown out following months of examination.

As reported by the Mirror, Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich said: "I did not take this extraordinary step lightly. But after reviewing the evidence, I am not convinced that Mr. Jones killed Rhoda Nathan."

After Jones was found guilty, a legal battle has been ongoing through the courts. Ohio Supreme Court ruled last week that an error was made in blocking a recent challenge and sent the case back to the lower court for fresh consideration.

Pillich declared that proceeding with a fresh trial without evidence, witnesses or current scientific methods "would be futile." Her review found there was a lack of physical or forensic evidence linking Jones directly to the murder, and several witness statements suggesting other potential suspects that were not adequately pursued.

His defence was also not provided with a significant amount of investigation material before the trial. Modern medical testing has also ruled out Jones as a suspect.

Police previously claimed that Rhoda Nathan, who was visiting the town of Blue Ash for her best friend's grandson's bar mitzvah over Labour Day weekend, was murdered after interrupting a robbery attempt in her room. Jones was identified as a suspect as he was an employee at the hotel she was staying at and was working that day.

Jones' defence has since argued that the "win-at-all-cost mentality" displayed by the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office resulted in his conviction. It has resulted in him losing over 28 years of his life behind bars, including 26 on death row.

Pillich has now announced plans to Pillich announced plans to establish a Conviction Integrity Unit to investigate and review claims of wrongful conviction and unfair sentencing using nationally recognised best practices. She said: "Had such a unit existed years ago, this decision may have been reached much sooner."