Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office secures guilty plea from man charged with killing his sister in 2023

Posted on 5/21/2024

Defendant: Michael Wright

The Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office secured a guilty plea Monday from Michael Wright, 70, for the stabbing death of his sister, Rhonda Jones, in 2023. Assistant prosecutors Mark Wodarcyk and Simon Huh prosecuted the case for the prosecutor’s office.

On May 7, 2023, Wright stabbed Jones, 66, multiple times during a domestic dispute that took place on Columbus’ near west side. Jones was taken to a hospital, where she died of her injuries. Wright was arrested shortly after the incident.

Wright pleaded guilty to the charge of voluntary manslaughter, a first-degree felony. Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge Kim Brown immediately sentenced Wright to the maximum sentence of 11 to 16-1/2 years in prison, with 380 days already served, a term jointly recommended by the prosecution and Wright’s defense attorney.