Chase suspect linked to copter crash to ‘man up’

The suspect in Friday’s high-speed chase that gained national attention when two news helicopters collided above the scene shuffled into court Saturday morning with his head down and his left arm wrapped in heavy gauze from his wrist to his elbow.

Christopher Jones, 23, suffered the injuries Friday afternoon during his arrest when police dogs took him down inside a west Phoenix residence.

Investigators search for cause of fatal helicopter crash

4 killed as news copters collide over Phoenix

VIDEO: Two helicopters collide in midair

VIDEO: Footage from ABC15 helicopter involved in crash

“I’m not a flight risk,” Jones told Commissioner Joan Sinclair during his initial court appearance at Madison Street Jail. “I will man up to what I did. I am responsible for it.”

Jones told the judge that he “blacked out” during the high-speed chase that included two vehicle thefts and led to a barricade situation near 87th Avenue and Encanto Boulevard. He said he didn’t remember the details of the chase and “woke up” in the west Phoenix residence just before the police dogs “tore me up.”

The Arizona Department of Corrections released Jones on parole in April, and he told the judge he was scheduled to get off parole next month. He also said he had done well on parole and went to work like he was supposed to and spent time with his children.

It was not immediately clear what past convictions Jones has on his record.

Deputy County Attorney Tammara Wright requested a $1 million bond for Jones. She said his actions Friday put everyone in the entire community in danger.

Sinclair agreed to the $1 million bond.

Jones faces four charges of aggravated assault, two charges of vehicle theft and one charge of resisting arrest. Phoenix police Chief Jack Harris also said Friday that Jones could face additional charges related to the deaths of the four television journalists who died in the helicopter crash.

Jones was led into the courtroom at 10:50 a.m. Saturday surrounded by five deputies in black tactical gear. He shuffled in slowly looking at the floor.

Before the judge arrived, he sat in the front row of the courtroom with his left elbow on his knee staring at the floor. He used his right hand to cover his eyes from television photographers.

During the proceedings, he silently shook his head.

Meanwhile, a “go team” of eight federal investigators arrived overnight to sort through the helicopter debris at Steele Indian School Park in downtown Phoenix.

National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Steve Chealander said investigators will drain a pond at the park to gather evidence. He said the water contains helicopter fuel, and investigators will have to take precautions to protect the park from contamination.

“We’re going to carefully drain the pond and gather any evidence that we can,” he said.

Chealander said some debris from the collision at 12:46 p.m. Friday landed on the windshield of a delivery truck, but the driver inside was not injured.

“We’re very fortunate that none of the debris injured anyone,” he said.

Investigators from the go team arrived overnight from Seattle, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. A spokesman said the team includes air traffic control specialists, engineers, mechanical experts and others who will interview witnesses.

The investigators will also interview friends and family of the four victims to reconstruct the events of their final days.

Killed in the crash were ABC 15 pilot Craig Smith and photographer Rick Krolak and Channel 3 pilot Scott Bowerbank and photographer Jim Cox.

“Our condolences go out to the family and friends of the victims,” Chealander said.

He said federal investigators will give more information during an afternoon news conference. Check back at evtrib.com for updates.