FREETOWN, INDIANA — Ashley Jones pleaded guilty in August 2025 to attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the poisoning death of Harold Allen in Jackson County, Indiana. Jones was sentenced to 50 years in prison.

Harold Allen died in 2022 after months of sudden, declining health. At the time, his death was attributed to cardiac issues.

The case began to unravel after a burglary at the Freetown, Indiana, home of Marsha Allen on Sept. 19, 2023. Marsha Allen told police she recognized one of the burglars captured on her home security cameras as Steven White. Investigators located White within hours, and he confessed to the burglary.

During questioning, White told investigators that Marsha Allen was a murderer and that she had killed Harold Allen by placing poison in a root beer float. White also claimed that Jones was involved in the murder plot and had masterminded the burglary. "Ashley Jones and Steven White were actually best friends," said Detective Clint Burcham.

White informed investigators that text messages between Marsha Allen and Jones contained details about the poisoning plan. Through those messages, investigators discovered that Marsha Allen and Jones had attempted to kill Harold Allen multiple times in the months before his death using various exotic poisons. After those earlier attempts failed, investigators say the two turned to ethylene glycol, an ingredient in antifreeze. On Dec. 19, 2022, Marsha Allen served Harold Allen a root beer float laced with ethylene glycol.

One month after the burglary, police questioned Marsha Allen, and she denied involvement in her husband's death. A few hours after the questioning, Marsha Allen died by suicide at her home.

Jones was charged with the murder of Harold Allen and booked into the Jackson County Jail. While awaiting trial, Jones gave her cellmate a list believed to contain names of people with knowledge about Harold Allen's death. Lieutenant Adam Nicholson said Jones intended to eliminate the people named on the list. "Without a doubt, she would've had them killed," Nicholson said.

A handwriting analysis comparing the list to Jones's handwriting indicated it was likely penned by Jones. However, Prosecutor Lynsey Fleetwood said Jones was not charged with any crimes connected to the list.

White was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for his role in the burglary. Jones and White were described by investigators as friends.