Two more arrested in murder conspiracy; police still investigating

SAN BERNARDINO – Police are still piecing together evidence in a shooting death last week that brought arrests of the victim’s estranged wife, along with two others in a murder-conspiracy.

John Joseph Cone, 64, who owned and operated his own business on the 2100 block of North Sierra Way – which was also his residence – was found dead, the likely result of murder, police said at the time.

Investigation uncovered evidence that Laurie Cone conspired to have her husband killed for personal financial gain, said Lt. Paul Williams. She was arrested in April , two days after her husband was discovered on the floor at his business-residence.

Police said Laurie Cone had told them that she returned from a night of gambling at the San Manuel Casino, along with her daughter, early on April 4 and discovered her husband.

Williams said on Tuesday, “We are not providing further information on their arrest, or the circumstances that led to the arrest. The investigation is continuing.”

An investigation determined that Laurie Cone had taken part in her husband’s death.

Shawna Bayless, 39, and Gary Gallion, 29, said investigators, also participated in the murder. Williams said the two were already in custody on unrelated charges prior to being arrested for Cone’s murder. Both Bayless and Gallion are San Bernardino residents.

He did not say what led police to regard them as suspects.

Police also said suspects stole numerous items, including up to 20 handguns, along with Cone’s white 2003 Ford F-150 pickup truck. The truck was found abandoned on April 5 in the 2600 block of Orchid Drive in neighboring Highland.

Bayless, who was being held at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga, has been convicted of assault with a deadly weapon not a firearm, possession of a controlled substance, and forgery, according to court records.

Courts records also show Gallion, who was being held at the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino, has a 2010 conviction for arson and a 2009 conviction for obstruction and resisting arrest.

John Cone, who no longer operates his TV-radio repair business, has repaired computers and dealt in the legal sale of guns in recent years, according to officials.

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