Podcast Summary: The Deck - "Robert Gene Jones (10 of Diamonds, Louisiana)"

Episode Information

• Title: Robert Gene Jones (10 of Diamonds, Louisiana)
• Host: audiochuck
• Release Date: July 23, 2025

Introduction

In this gripping episode of The Deck, host audiochuck delves into the mysterious murder of Robert Gene Jones, a case that has remained unsolved for over two decades. Utilizing insights from law enforcement officials and testimonies from family members, the episode seeks to uncover the truth behind Robert's untimely death and encourages listeners to provide any information that might help bring justice to his family.

The Case Overview

Robert Gene Jones, a 48-year-old man from Caddo Parish, Louisiana, was discovered dead in his mobile home on the night of December 10, 2002. Known for his quiet demeanor and routine lifestyle, Robert's sudden and violent death left both the community and investigators baffled, with no clear motive or suspect in sight.

Key Details:

• Date of Death: December 10-11, 2002
• Location: Caddo Parish, Louisiana
• Cause of Death: Single gunshot wound to the upper back
• Evidence Found: Spent 9mm shell casing, absence of forced entry, intact personal belongings

Initial Investigation

The investigation began when Darren Moore, Robert's roommate, noticed unusual activity at their mobile home. While driving home on December 11, Darren observed that the porch light was unexpectedly left on—a rare occurrence given Robert's frugal nature.

Notable Quote:

"Robert was a frugal, routine man who wouldn't have just forgotten [to turn off the porch light]."
— Ashley Flowers [02:21]

Upon entering the trailer, Darren found Robert lying on his chest, covered in blood. Authorities quickly determined that Robert was likely killed between 10:30 PM on December 10 and 2:30 AM on December 11.

Suspect: Darren Moore

Darren Moore became the primary suspect due to several factors:

• Financial Disputes: Robert had informed family members that Darren was behind on rent, leading to potential eviction.
• Alibi Concerns: Darren claimed to have been at a girlfriend's house during the time of the murder, supported by her and her stepfather.
• Behavioral Observations: Darren appeared genuinely distressed and cooperative, even passing two polygraph tests without deception indicators.

Notable Quote:

"Robert was getting payment from Darren to live there. I don't know if he kept records of how much. Did Darren still owe him money or not, but we felt at this time, Darren is our number one suspect."
— Lieutenant J. Morgan [10:14]

Despite Darren's consistent denials and alibis, inconsistencies in the investigation began to surface, prompting deeper scrutiny.

New Leads and Investigation Progress

As months progressed, new information emerged that shifted the focus of the investigation:

• Marijuana Connection: Detectives noticed the pervasive smell of marijuana at the scene, despite no drugs being found in Robert's system. This suggested that drugs might have been removed from the trailer, hinting at a possible motive.

  Notable Quote:

  "We could smell the weed."
  — Lieutenant J. Morgan [06:46]

• Crime Stoppers Tip: A pivotal tip from Crime Stoppers identified Isaac Rambo III as the potential perpetrator. According to the tipster, Isaac had intended to rob Darren but mistakenly killed Robert instead.

  Notable Quote:

  "There's no doubt. Mistaken identity."
  — Lieutenant J. Morgan [26:23]

• Witness Testimony: A man named Mike, incarcerated at the time, claimed to have been with Isaac during the murder. His detailed account led detectives to inspect the exact location of the crime scene, adding credibility to his statement.

  Notable Quote:

  "He picked up the gun between his legs and placed a barrel against the witness's neck."
  — Lieutenant J. Morgan [16:11]

Arrest and Charges

By May 2003, sufficient evidence pointed towards Isaac Rambo III. Detectives established that Isaac had connections with Darren and had been in possession of a vehicle linked to the night of the murder. Despite these findings, inconsistencies remained:

• Discrepancies in Gunshot Sounds: Mike reported hearing multiple gunshots, but only one shell casing was found at the scene.
• Isaac's Relationship with Robert: There was no prior relationship between Isaac and Robert, raising questions about how Robert would have let a stranger into his home.

Nevertheless, Isaac was arrested for first-degree murder based on the accumulating evidence. However, during the preliminary hearing, the prosecution faced challenges due to a lack of physical evidence directly tying Isaac to the scene.

Notable Quote:

"He knew, said he knew it involved a homicide."
— Lieutenant J. Morgan [23:35]

Ultimately, the district attorney dismissed the case, citing insufficient evidence, leading to Isaac's release shortly after his arrest.

Aftermath and Current Status

The dismissal of Isaac's case left Robert's family, particularly his older brother Willie Jones, disillusioned with the justice system.

Notable Quote:

"He said, well, the DA said that we didn't have enough evidence. I said, well, what y'all said?"
— Willie Jones [27:13]

Years later, Isaac faced legal troubles unrelated to Robert's case, including a conviction for indecent behavior with a juvenile in 2021. He has publicly claimed innocence in Robert's murder, stating:

"I am wrongly arrested and have no connection with the murder of Robert Jones."
— Isaac Rambo III [28:30]

Despite the case remaining open, Lieutenant Morgan remains optimistic about finding conclusive evidence to resolve the mystery.

Conclusion

The tragic and unresolved case of Robert Gene Jones serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities and challenges inherent in criminal investigations. The Deck highlights the intricate web of evidence, witness testimonies, and investigative hurdles that have left Robert's family yearning for answers. As the episode concludes, listeners are encouraged to come forward with any information that might shed light on this enduring mystery.

Call to Action:

If you or anyone you know has information that can help bring closure to Robert Gene Jones’s case, you can make an anonymous call to the Caddo Shreveport Crime Stoppers at 318-673-7373 or submit a tip by visiting c-scrimestoppers.org/thedeck.

This summary was crafted based on the transcript provided from "The Deck" podcast episode released on July 23, 2025.