13 Crime Files: Tucson Family Seeks Law Reform After Doctor's Road Rage Tragedy

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - The family and friends of a doctor shot and killed in Tucson last March are preparing for the likely sentencing of the man responsible for his death. They believe the potential sentence is far too lenient given the severity of the crime.

“Ultimately he said he had no choice but to shoot my husband—my unarmed husband in the back. He had no choice but to do that. But what about the ultimate choice of not doing it?” says the wife of Jeff Honer, Alyssa Honer.

Jeff was known for his infectious smile and his big toothy grin. He was someone who always seemed to have life figured out, according to his brother, Ken Honer.

“When I say that I could never think of finding a replacement, it’s because he was just impressive on every level. He’s never known a stranger. Everyone loves him. He lights up a room when he walks into a room. He has sacrificed so much to be a doctor,” says Alyssa Honer.

Jeffrey Honer had always dreamed of becoming a doctor since he was five years old, as his family and friends recall. This passion led him to southern Arizona, where he worked overseeing in-home care alongside multiple nurses.

“He had been working with some new technology. There are a lot of patients who have chronic wounds that are homebound and they have these terrible, painful wounds on their body and this new technology was working with stem cells to help re-generate and re-grow the skin. They were making great progress,” says Alyssa Honer.

On March 15th, 2024, Dr. Honer was part of a caravan of nurses in the Houghton and Snyder area, an unfamiliar location for the group. He was on his way to see a patient, his last appointment of the day.

“He was actually at the time of this on the way to a patient’s home. It was his last patient of the day, it was a Friday afternoon. The nurses and him were in separate vehicles. He was supposed to, you know, jump in his car and come home to us. He had his suitcase in the trunk and he was ready to go home,” says Alyssa Honer.

Unfortunately, Dr. Honer never made it home. The group had missed a turn, which led to confusion. According to the family, the slower driving of the group did not sit well with Jason Jameson, another driver on the road.

The nurses were leading Dr. Honer in the caravan. “For some reason Jason Jameson pulled in front of the nurse and hit his brakes hard, we know this. Hard enough probably that Jeff had to swerve being the last car, and went around. Jeff got out, went up to him and was like ‘hey what are you doing? I almost had an accident.’ And the guy was sitting in his 4 wheel drive pickup truck very high up, he was heavier than Jeff, he was younger than Jeff, and he was armed. And he wasn’t afraid. He claims that Jeff hit him and he then had to fire the gun at Jeff, however we know that Jeff was walking away,” says Ken Honer.

This incident was classified by Pima County Sheriff’s Department officials as a road rage incident. Jason Jameson shot and killed Honer. According to court documents, Jameson claimed self-defense.

The family believes the self-defense laws in Arizona are flawed. In Arizona, once a defendant presents sufficient evidence to support a claim of self-defense, the burden shifts to the prosecution to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, the self-defense was not justified.

“The prosecution is scared that they can’t get a conviction. And part of it is, if you point your finger at someone and the tip of your finger breaks the pane of their glass in their car, you have now entered a protective space and they can kill you. I asked the prosecutor that’s currently on our case how he’d like to see the law changed. And he said, ‘I’d like it to be like the other states.’ I’d like it so that if you claim self defense, if you shoot an unarmed man in the back, you kind of have to explain that,” says Ken Honer.

Because of this distinction, Jameson now faces a sentence of 1 to 3 1/2 years in prison and probation up to four years. For the grieving family, this does not reflect the gravity of the crime.

13 News reached out to the Pima County Attorney’s Office about the sentencing and in a statement they said:

“The Pima County Attorney’s Office has reviewed this case and, consistent with all other homicide cases, the case was presented to the homicide panel where the facts and applicable law were extensively discussed. A plea was offered consistent with the determination of the homicide panel.”

Now, those who loved Dr. Honer are advocating for change. “We cannot stay quiet, stories like ours need to be heard. We need the public to be aware that this is what is happening in Arizona. People don’t know and the effect of how these laws are,” says Alyssa Honer.

“If things don’t change, this is going to happen again. There will be more victims. There’s gonna be more families down the road that are gonna be left without fathers and mothers and if the laws don’t change, it will happen again,” says Dr. Honer’s best friend Luke Ballard.

“Other people watching Mr. Jameson that think, ‘hey, this guy did it, he only got two years.’ To me it’s almost encouraging to go ahead and pull that trigger. Why not?” says Alyssa Honer.

“If you feel like a law is unjust or unfair, you try to have that law changed rather than disobey it. This is that attempt. We need this law changed,” says Ken Honer.

Jason Jameson is scheduled to be sentenced on October 6th. 13 News will have our cameras in the courtroom to bring you the latest on what decision is made.

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