Watertown, NY – A Jefferson County jury has found Jonathan E. Melendez, 40, guilty of the brutal murder of his 88-year-old neighbor, Rena L. Eves, after a confrontation over her car. The verdict comes nearly two years after Eves was beaten to death in her own apartment, shocking the upstate New York community.
Jury Convicts Man of Multiple Charges
On Thursday, jurors returned guilty verdicts on all counts against Melendez, who represented himself in court. He was convicted of:
- Murder in the second degree
- Assault in the first degree
- Criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree
- Tampering with physical evidence
During the trial, Melendez repeatedly denied killing Eves, telling the court, “I didn’t kill Rena. I loved and cared for her.” However, prosecutors presented overwhelming evidence proving his culpability.
Brutal Attack Over Refused Car Use
The attack occurred on August 27, 2023, inside Eves’ home at Beaver Meadows Apartments on Eimicke Place, Watertown, about 70 miles north of Syracuse. According to court testimony:
- Melendez beat Eves to death with a hammer
- He was arrested later the same day wearing two pairs of sweatpants—the outer pair clean, hiding the blood-stained pair underneath
- The victim’s car key fob was found in Melendez’s pocket
- The bloodied claw hammer was discovered stuffed in a Walmart bag in the trunk of his vehicle
Prosecutors also highlighted text messages sent by Melendez to his girlfriend prior to the murder. In one, he warned he needed to “leave before doing something ugly.”
Evidence and Surveillance
Beyond the physical evidence, the trial included:
- Surveillance footage placing Melendez at the scene
- Dozens of corroborating pieces of evidence, including forensic analysis and witness testimony
- Text messages translated from Spanish between Melendez and his then-girlfriend indicating premeditation
Motive and Defense
The Jefferson County District Attorney argued that the motive for the attack was Eves refusing to lend her car to Melendez. Melendez claimed he had discovered her body but delayed calling authorities due to falling asleep and testified that he suffers from drug-induced psychosis. He also accused prosecutors of targeting him due to conspiracy theories involving the Freemasons, which the judge dismissed.
Family Reaction
Eves’ family expressed relief at the verdict. One granddaughter told reporters, “As a family, we’re certainly happy to have this come to a close… Just hearing all counts of guilty is really reassuring.”
Remembering Rena L. Eves
Rena Eves was known for her love of family, gardening, and her three cats, Cindy, Mindy, and Hunter. She enjoyed luncheons with fellow nurses, creating memories with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and was an active member at Trinity Episcopal Church.
Sentencing Scheduled
Melendez is scheduled to be sentenced on December 8, 2025, and is expected to spend the rest of his life behind bars.
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