Hotel shooting suspect's mother comes to his defense

TAMPA (FOX 13) - The mother of a 16-year-old murder suspect was by his side as he appeared in court Tuesday, and said her son is innocent. 

Christy Tims' son, Charles Jones, was charged as and adult in connection to a shooting at a St. Petersburg hotel in February. Also charged, 18-year-old Shawn McGee. 

Tims maintained her son was caught up with a bad crowd, but did not try to kill anyone.

"My son is good kid, he don't do stuff like this.. The company that you keep will try to take you down like that, " Tims said.

Jones appeared in Hillsborough Circuit Court Tuesday, where Judge John Conrad explained the charges.

"Okay, you have an out -of-county warrant from Pinellas County on the charge of attempted murder in the first degree," said Conrad.

Jones was arrested in Tampa, but will be transferred back to Pinellas County to face the charges.

Two teenagers were victims in the shooting, but were expected to survive. 

Tims said she will be by his side while he awaits trial

"He better try to find someone else to pick on because my son is innocent, " Tims said.