Big money focus of testimony in Marquise Jones civil rights violation trial

Jones shot, killed by off-duty SAPD officer in 2014

SAN ANTONIO – On a winter night in 2014, Marquis Jones, 23, was shot and killed by an SAPD officer who was working off duty at a North Side restaurant.

The officer, Robert Encina, was investigating a minor traffic accident in the restaurant’s drive-thru lane when he said that he confronted Jones.

Encina said he shot Jones because he feared for his life.
Jones’ family, along with several witnesses who testified during a civil rights violation trial underway in federal court, say Jones was unarmed.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages.

On Friday, Dr. Thomas Smith, an economist, testified that “statistically,” Jones’ death cost his family and infant daughter an estimated $77.4 million in lost economic support.

He admitted that the statistics were not perfect and included a number of variables.

The trial resumes Monday before Federal Judge Royce Lamberth.

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About the Author:

Paul Venema is a courthouse reporter for KSAT with more than 25 years experience in the role.