One of the victims in two brutal sexual assaults along the Venice Canals on
the same night last month has been declared brain dead, leaving many to
wonder if the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office will now include a
charge of murder against the 29-year-old suspect.

The vicious attacks occurred separately on April 6 while both victims were
out for an evening walk along the canals. That’s when authorities say they
were violently assaulted by Anthony Jones.

With help from the community, including critical surveillance footage, law
enforcement personnel were able to locate and arrest the 29-year-old five
days later in San Diego.

“The level of brutality that was engaged in was very reprehensible,” L.A.
County DA George Gascón said during a news conference announcing the
charges.

https://ktla.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/mary-4.jpg?
resize=640,360
The suspect, Anthony Jones, 29, seen walking around the Venice canals area
on April 6, 2024.

The charges against Jones included two counts of forcible rape, one count of
sexual penetration by use of force, one count of sodomy by use of force, one
count of mayhem, one count of torture and one count of attempted murder.

Now, one of the victims, a woman from Massachusetts, no longer has any brain
function, people close to the case tell KTLA’s Chris Wolfe.

The second victim, 54-year-old Mary Klein, told KTLA from her hospital bed
that Jones attacked her from behind and “bashed” her face in. Doctors were
forced to wire her jaw shut after a beating that left her severely injured
and covered in bruises.

“I think he was trying to kill me,” Klein said at the time. “I think he
tried to kill me.”

https://ktla.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/mary-klein-1.jpg?
resize=640,360

Mary Klein, seen with severe injuries and bruising, speaks to KTLA from her
hospital bed on April 12, 2024. (KTLA)
Venice resident Aimee Nelson, who has lived in the neighborhood for 10
years, said she and others thought it was likely the woman from
Massachusetts would not wake up and recover from the attack.

“Even knowing that, today when we saw it, it was still incredibly
emotional,” she said.

Nelson said there’s been an increase in violent crime in the neighborhood
and that residents are doing the best they can by keeping tabs on each
other, one neighbor even gave her pepper spray and a stun gun.

A new “Know Your Neighbor” plan that divides the community into special
blocks or focus groups with labels has been expanding in the area.

“Our neighbors have been asking each other to walk them home, people are
avoiding going out at night because they feel unsafe,” Venice resident Ramon
Goni told KTLA. “We had an active shooter right behind us a few weeks ago.”

“We are aware of the tragic circumstances surrounding one of the victims of
last month’s brutal sexual assaults at the Venice Canals. Our hearts and
deepest sympathies go out to the victim’s family and friends during this
unimaginably difficult time. Our office is evaluating how we will proceed to
ensure the defendant is held fully accountable for his conduct.”

As for Klein, the lone survivor of the attacks, she and her son were upset
to learn of the latest developments and are not ready to publicly speak
about the situation just yet.

https://ktla.com/news/local-news/victim-in-heinous-venice-canal-sexual-
assault-declared-brain-dead/