October 7, 2024: Jury Convicts Man in 1988 Kidnap, Rape and Murder of Lois Haro

Ronald Anthony Jones faces a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced today that a jury has convicted Ronald Anthony Jones of murder in the shooting death of 26-year-old Lois Haro, who was raped and killed after being kidnapped by Jones and his accomplice in 1988 at the Plaza Pasadena mall.

"Today, justice has finally been served for Lois Haro and her family. This verdict is a crucial step in bringing closure to a case that has weighed heavily on the hearts of her loved ones and our community for more than three decades," District Attorney Gascón said. "I want to extend my gratitude to Deputy District Attorneys Beth Silverman and Seth Carmack for their exceptional work in this successful prosecution. In the face of an incredibly difficult and complex case - one that involved a reversal in earlier proceedings - the jury has also demonstrated a deep commitment to justice, ensuring that the person responsible for this heinous crime has been held accountable."

Ronald Anthony Jones (DOB 11/17/69) of Pasadena was found guilty of first-degree murder, four special circumstances and an enhancement of principal armed with a gun at Dept. 109 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. Sentencing is set for Oct. 22 at the same location. He faces a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole. He had earlier pleaded guilty to one count each of kidnapping for robbery, second degree robbery, forcible rape while acting in concert, and forcible oral copulation.

On Oct. 18, 1988, defendant Jones and his accomplice, George Marvin Trone, targeted Lois Haro at the Plaza Pasadena and followed her to her car parked. At gunpoint, they forced her into her car, carjacked and abducted her. They each sexually assaulted her, and drove the victim to a remote area in Pasadena, where they shot and killed her.

Jones was convicted of murder and other charges and sentenced to death in 1991. In 2021, the United States District Court reversed the 1991 conviction due to a Wheeler-Batson error, which occurs during jury selection in a trial and involves the improper exclusion of potential jurors based on race, ethnicity, or other protected characteristics. Last year, Jones' DNA was identified on the victim's clothing and sexual assault kit evidence.

In 1991, accomplice Trone was found guilty of robbing, sexually assaulting and murdering Lois Haro and in 1992 was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Case A57817 was investigated by the Pasadena Police Department.