DANVILLE, Ind. — Lawyers for the Missouri man who allegedly struck and killed Indiana State Police Trooper Aaron Smith say he is too mentally disabled to be sentenced to life without a chance for parole.

Eddie Jones, 18, was charged with Smith's murder. Smith was trying to use stop sticks to stop the stolen car Jones was driving, when he was hit and killed on June 28, 2023.

Prosecutors are seeking a sentence of life without a chance of parole. Jones' attorneys say they can't because he has an intellectual disability.

According to Jones' attorneys, he receives Social Security payments because of a "mild" intellectual disability. Under Indiana law , someone with an intellectual disability cannot be sentenced to life without a chance of parole.

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