Former IU player Dumes found not guilty

Devan Dumes, a former IU basketball player, was found not guilty Tuesday of attempted murder, attempted carjacking and theft and possession of a handgun without a license, according to the Marion County Prosecutor’s office.

The charges stem from a Jan. 11 incident where Dumes was accused of trying to steal Keith Jones’ car and shooting him in the neck at a meeting they had arranged the night before, Dumes’ lawyer Israel Nunez Cruz said. Dumes had purchased cocaine from Jones the night before, and when Dumes was not able to pay, Jones became angry and asked him to meet him Jan. 11, Cruz said,.

While meeting in a car, Jones asked Dumes to pay for the drugs by delivering two kilograms of cocaine, Cruz said. When Dumes refused, he saw Jones pulling a gun out of his peripheral vision, and Dumes reacted by pushing Jones’ arm away, which caused Jones to shoot himself.

Cruz said they were able to win the case by proving Jones had lied to police. When Jones first reported the incident, Cruz said, he told police Dumes tried to steal his car and shoot him. In court Jones testified that at no point did Dumes try to take his keys or force him from the car.

“Because Jones lied to police, the jury didn’t believe him,” Cruz said. “I believe the jury concluded that Keith Jones is a drug dealer and not credible.”

There was also no DNA evidence to support that Dumes had touched the gun, he said. Jones was the only one who handled it.

“Devan is a very good man, and I’m glad the truth has come out,” Cruz said.