Former Teacher Slits Own Throat Following Rape Conviction

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA — A Huntington Beach man slit his own throat Wednesday in an Ocean County courtroom after a jury found him guilty of repeatedly raping a young woman when she was 13 years old.

Jeffrey Scott Jones, 56, upon learning that he was convicted of two felony counts of aggravated sexual assault of the child of his live-in girlfriend, and one felony count of continuous sexual abuse, the former English teacher produced a razor blade and sliced his throat, according to Deputy District Attorney Heather Brown.

Jeffrey Scott Jones of Huntington Beach, who was out of custody on bail during his trial, was rushed to an area hospital.

"Right after the judge asked if we wanted jurors polled, both attorneys said no, and then he took a razor out of his left pocket and slashed his throat," Senior Deputy District Attorney Heather Brown said. "His head hit the table and I thought he fainted, but then I saw the blood and the razor on the table."

Orange County Superior Court Steven Bromberg had advised the 56-year-old defendant on Tuesday that if he was found guilty, he would be taken into custody immediately.

"I didn't see it even though I was sitting next to him," defense attorney Ed Welbourn said, adding that his client apparently cut the artery in his neck.

"At that point, he passed out or something happened and he hit the table, which is when I noticed something was happening," Welbourn said.

"It's very unfortunate, the whole thing," he said. "We respect the jury's decision, but we thought there was reasonable doubt as to what occurred... It's just terrible. The good news is it looks like he will recover."

Orange County sheriff's Lt. Mark Stichter said there will be an investigation into how Jones "was able to have (a razor blade) in court and provide answers to that."

Jurors deliberated about two hours before convicting Jones of two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and one count of continuous sexual abuse.

Jones was a teacher of Advanced Placement English classes at the Libra Academy in Huntington Park at the time the felony charges were filed. According to prosecutors, he engaged in a sexual relationship with the unnamed girl in May 2013 and molested her at various times from September 2012 through April 2013.

Jones was removed from the Santa Ana courtroom on a gurney. His condition is not known at this time.

Jones was scheduled for sentencing on Nov. 4 and faces the maximum of 68 years to life in a state prison, according to the Orange County District Attorney's office.

This report will be updated as more information is released.

Photo of Jeffrey Scott Jones courtesy of Orange County District Attorney's Office