Extended interview: Defense attorney Dayna Jones on the use of confidential informants, overturned convictions

Necessary Evil: The cost of confidential informants, a KSAT 12 Defenders Investigation, airs Feb. 1 at 9 p.m.

This story is part of a KSAT 12 Defenders investigation into the use of confidential informants by law enforcement. The one-hour special report airs on KSAT 12 on Feb. 1 at 9 p.m. Find more here.

Dayna Jones is a criminal defense attorney in San Antonio. She devotes a large amount of her time helping clients who have already been convicted, specializing in appeals and writs of habeas corpus.

In 2020, she was appointed to represent Rexina Linan-Juarez, John Cape, and Louie Garcia when the Bexar County District Attorney’s office discovered a confidential informant used by BCSO narcotics deputies had planted evidence in a similar case.

Jone’s work on the cases led to the exonerations of Linan-Juarez, Cape, and Garcia.

In this extended interview Jones discusses her work on the case and shares her thoughts on the use of confidential informants.

Read more from this series:


About the Authors

Kolten Parker is Manager of Content and Coverage at KSAT. He moved into the role in 2024, after five years of leading the digital team. Kolten is an award-winning journalist and a proud Texas State Bobcat. He's a triathlete who loves the outdoors and sports. When not working, he likes to hang out with his wife and travel.

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