2-Year Prison Term For Girlfriend Battery Before Overdose

NAPA - A Southern California man whose girlfriend was found dead from a drug overdose in a Calistoga hotel during a vacation in September was sentenced last week to two years in prison for domestic violence battery, Napa County District Attorney Gary Lieberstein said.

Kevin Leslie Jones, 41, of Altadena, argued with his girlfriend Gena Penney, 41, also of Altadena, during an evening dinner at The French Laundry restaurant in Yountville and assaulted Penney in their car afterward, but was not responsible for her death, Lieberstein said.

Penney’s body was found around 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 18 in a room at the Pink Mansion bed and breakfast inn in Calistoga. She had suffered physical injuries and a white powder was found on the floor of the inn, Napa and Calistoga police said.

Jones left Napa County but was detained by the Nevada Highway Patrol near Reno and was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence after an interview with Napa police.

An autopsy determined Penney died of acute alcohol, methadone and oxycodone intoxication that is believed to be accidental, Napa County sheriff’s Capt. Steve Blower said.

The bruises on Penney’s face were not serious and did not contribute to her death, Blower said.

Jones has no prior criminal record and the two-year sentence issued Tuesday in Napa County Superior Court is just and appropriate, Lieberstein said.

Jones’ attorney had asked the court for probation, Lieberstein said.

-Bay City News, image via ShutterStock