GUILTY SC - Five Jones children, ages 1-8, Lexington County, 28 Aug 2014 *Father Arrested*

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Caroline Hecker‏Verified account @CHecker_WIS 10m10 minutes ago
Today, we're learning more about several home visits performed by DSS and some of the details--bringing serious questions--to light. Amber Kyzer, the children's mother, filed a civil lawsuit against DSS a couple years ago. It hasn't been tried. https://bit.ly/2YRScmH @wis10

Mother claims Social Services didn't do enough ahead of 5 children being killed

July 27, 2016

"LEXINGTON COUNTY, SC (WIS) - The former wife of the man accused of brutally killing his five children then dumping their bodies in a ditch in rural Alabama has filed a lawsuit against the state and Lexington County Department of Social Services for failing to protect the children from their murders.

Amber Jones has filed the suit in Lexington County on Friday, according to documents, and is seeking an undetermined amount of damages for the "wrongful deaths and conscious pain and suffering of her children."
"Each child suffer[ed] a horrific, but entirely preventable death," the lawsuit said....

...Amber Jones says DSS showed negligence in 11 different areas...."

Mother claims Social Services didn't do enough ahead of 5 children being killed

 

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Courtney King‏ @CourtReportKing 3m3 minutes ago
Here's a look inside the courtroom today. #TimothyJones #TimothyJonesTrial @wachfox

 

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Live:

 

[beatrixpotter]

I hate frivolous law suits. But if they were reported to DFCS repeatedly and they did basically nothing till the children end up dead.... On the other hand you never know which of the many questionable parents out there are going to be the ones who snap. And there is probably not even a fraction of the foster parents and homes needed let alone funds to support all the children living in questionable circumstances.

 

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Caroline Hecker‏Verified account @CHecker_WIS 1h1 hour ago
Testimony continues in the Jones trial. So far, we've heard from a neuro-pharmacologist, a DSS caseworker and a college friend/coworker of Jones. @wis10

 

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Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 1h1 hour ago
The defense's next witness, a child counselor, was only on the stand for all of one minute before she stepped down.

Brantley Brokaw, a classmate of Jones's at Mississippi State, is now on the podium.


Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 1h1 hour ago
Brokaw says Jones was very smart and inquisitive when they took classes together at Mississippi State. Brokaw lived in South Carolina before Jones moved there, so the latter would crash with Brokaw while he was looking for a place.


Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 1h1 hour ago
Brokaw elaborates on how Jones "was very passionate" about religion, saying his beliefs bordered on Pentecostal territory.


Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 1h1 hour ago
When asked about Jones's love for Amber, Brokaw says Jones "cared about her a lot." He does brings up one instance where she initially didn't want to live in the trailer that he found in Red Bank.


Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 1h1 hour ago
Brokaw brings up an instance where he and Jones went on a walk outside of Intel one day, where Jones told him that he found out Amber had been having an affair with a "seventeen year-old neighbor." He asked Brokaw if he could stay with him while he "sorted things out."


Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 1h1 hour ago
Brokaw says he didn't want Jones to think of him as "his best friend" since he had some "abrupt views".


Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 1h1 hour ago
Brokaw says "the last straw" was when Jones came back to the apartment throwing up after a night drinking downtown, offering to buy him Wendy's as an apology.
Brokaw also mentions that Jones told him that he would be in "some pain" one day since he got a vasectomy.


Courtney King‏ @CourtReportKing 1h1 hour ago
Former classmate/coworker of #TimothyJones tells the court that Jones told him he had had a vasectomy because he "was done having kids." Also says Jones bought him Wendys after he puked on his wall after drinking #TimothyJonesTrial @wachfox

 

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Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 1h1 hour ago
Brokaw steps down from the stand.
Brice Mankowski, a fellow co-worker of Jones at Intel, takes the stand.


Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 60m60 minutes ago
Mankowski says most engineers are antisocial and shy, but Jones was "unique" since he wasn't afraid to talk to anybody.


Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 58m58 minutes ago
Mankowski: He had an "intense" personality and he would try to make sure that someone agreed with him at the end of a conversation.
A few months before the murders, Jones was talking fast to another employee when Mankowski showed up. That other employee promptly left.


Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 53m53 minutes ago
Mankowski says before the summer of 2014, Jones would always be at Intel before he showed up in the morning. He re-emphasizes that Jones was "hard-headed" and could not be convinced to take another side.


Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 42m42 minutes ago
Mankowski steps down from the stand. Judge Griffith calls for a break.

 

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Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 28m28 minutes ago
Todd Schelling, a co-worker with Jones's at Intel, is now on the stand.


Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 28m28 minutes ago
Once Schelling steps down, the Defense calls another coworker of Jones, Jai Ameja, to the stand.


Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 26m26 minutes ago
Testimony wraps up for the day. The last four witnesses were coworkers of Jones's at Intel. The trial will continue tomorrow morning.

I'll be LIVE on @abc_columbia at 6 to talk about testimony from a DSS agent concerning the welfare of the Jones children while in his custody.

 

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DSS worker says Timothy Jones agreed to "safety plan"

May 28th 2019

"Lexington, SC (WACH) — On day 10 of the Timothy Jones murder trial, a former investigator for the Department of Social Services in Lexington County took the stand.

Sherry Henry told the jury that Jones agreed to two separate safety plans in May and August of 2014 that said the father would not use physical force on the children or wrestle them.

According to Henry, who was called as a witness for the defense, Jones understood the agreements of the plan a couple weeks before authorities say he killed his five children in August of 2014...."

DSS worker says Timothy Jones agreed to "safety plan"

 

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Timothy Jones Trial Day 10 Part 1 Dr Jonathan Lipman 05/28/19

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Timothy Jones Jr. trial | testimony in trial of man accused of killing his children.

Streamed live May 28, 2019

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Former DSS worker testifies in Jones trial

May 28, 2019

 

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Jesse Weber & Defense Attorney Terri Austin Discuss the Timothy Jones Trial 05/28/19

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Jesse Weber Andrew Cherkasky & Terri Austin Discuss the Timothy Jones Trial 05/28/19

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The Daily Debrief: Aaron Keller & Panel Discuss the Timothy Jones Trial 05/28/19

 

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Defense argues drugs affected SC man who killed his five kids
The defense brought character witnesses and a doctor who says Jones could have been affected by drug use.

May 28, 2019

"LEXINGTON, S.C. — The murder trial of Timothy Jones Jr resumed Tuesday, May 28, in Lexington County Courthouse with taped testimony from Dr. Joseph Lipman, a neuropharmacologist, about the affects of drugs on the human brain....

During the 2 hour and 17 minute videotape, Dr. Lipman was asked by the defense team to look at a history of drug use by Tim Jones — marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids, along with Chantix.

It was Lipman’s opinion that Jones’ synthetic marijuana use more likely than not exacerbated his delusional state and increased his paranoid, psychotic behavior.

The doctor described the effects the drugs have on the brain:

-Natural cannabis acts on the receptors in the brain; human physiology creates natural endocannabinoids and are neural transmitters; cannabis’ natural THC and cannabinol “fits” the brain’s receptors and provokes a response (the efficacy of the drug).

-Synthetic cannabinoids were designed by medicinal chemists to treat certain cancers, insomnia, bulimia, etc. There are approximately 150 new generations of synthetics, the newer generations no longer resemble THC as it began; what you get now — CBD oils (except one) are not FDA regulated.

-Some anti-psychotic molecules designed by chemists are used to treat anxiety and psychosis.

-Effects can induce a transient psychotic state — the “weed makes me paranoid” state wears off after a period of time. ....

It was the doctor’s opinion that Jones suffered from psychosis — according to some medical records (military, Navy). Lipman testified that, in schizophrenics, pot use makes psychosis worse even though they claim it makes their unhappiness go away....

>>>>>>>>>>>>> THE DSS CASEWORKER

Defense Rob Madsen calls Sherry Henry, retired case manager from Lexington County Department of Social Services (DSS).

Henry became involved with the Jones family after DSS was called on three occasions: ...

>>>>>>>>>>>>>AFTERNOON: CHARACTER WITNESSES..."

Defense argues drugs affected SC man who killed his five kids

 

[MsFacetious]

Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 1h1 hour ago
The defense's next witness, a child counselor, was only on the stand for all of one minute before she stepped down.

Well what the heck did she say then?

 

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Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 1h1 hour ago
The defense's next witness, a child counselor, was only on the stand for all of one minute before she stepped down.

Well what the heck did she say then?

This?

"After lunch, the defense team begins with calling Kimberly Fender, a scold (sic) psychologist that had sessions with the two oldest Jones children — Mera and Elias. She was on the stand for less than five minutes, really to just confirm the fact that she saw the children in the latter part of 2012 and early 2013."

Defense argues drugs affected SC man who killed his five kids

 

[Kavya01]

I sometimes have this scary notion that we'll devolve to common: "the overload of sugar in the cupcakes made me do it" defenses one day soon. I mean, where do we draw the line?

 

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Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 16h16 hours ago
A former DSS case worker took the stand in Day Ten of the Timothy Jones Jr. murder trial. I went LIVE outside the Lexington County Courthouse to talk about her testimony and why she says Jones was able to keep the children in his custody.

(video clip: Tim Scott on Twitter )

 

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Live:

Watch Live: Timothy Jones on Trial in Murders of His 5 Children

 

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Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 3h3 hours ago
Back inside the Lexington County Courthouse for Day 11 of the Timothy Jones Jr. murder trial.
The defense called six witnesses to the stand yesterday, including four of Jones's coworkers at Intel.


Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 2h2 hours ago
The defense calls its first witness of the day to the stand: Jodie Durney, a child care provider that watched some of the older children.


Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 2h2 hours ago
Durney says Jones was "very upset" after things with his ex-wife, Amber, did not work out. She says, with Jones, it was very "what you see is what you get" and there wasn't a lot of change with him.


Courtney King‏ @CourtReportKing 2h2 hours ago
A former babysitter for the Jones children testifies, "#TimothyJones was an amazing father." Says he was wonderful to the kids #TimothyJonesTrial @wachfox


Caroline Hecker‏Verified account @CHecker_WIS 2h2 hours ago
Jones gets emotional as his former babysitter describes him as an "amazing father." She, too, sheds a tear recalling the activities Jones took part in with his children, like skating, church and school functions. @wis10


Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 2h2 hours ago
Durney says Jones "was an amazing father" saying that he did a lot with his kids on a weekly basis. "He took advantage of every opportunity" like camping, school, and church.


Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 2h2 hours ago
She continues that Jones was "better than your average parent" since he devoted a lot of time to his children. Suzanne Mayes begins her cross-examination on Durney.


Courtney King‏ @CourtReportKing 2h2 hours ago
Deputy Solicitor Suzanne Mays asks the former babysitter if #TimothyJones appeared to have a mental illness, the witness responds, "No." #TimothyJonesTrial @wachfox

 

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Caroline Hecker‏Verified account @CHecker_WIS 2h2 hours ago
After 20 minutes of testimony, Jones' former babysitter steps down. Based on what we've seen so far, probably Jones' best character witness yet. @wis10


Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 2h2 hours ago
Jodie Durney steps down from the stand.
Next up to the stand? Her mother-in-law: Ruby Durney.


Courtney King‏ @CourtReportKing 2h2 hours ago
Ruby Durney (sister of last babysitter called) says she helped watch the kids and went to a counseling session of #TimothyJones and the oldest son, Eli. Says it went "really well." #TimothyJonesTrial @wachfox


Courtney King‏ @CourtReportKing 2h2 hours ago
Correction: Mother in Law not sister.


Caroline Hecker‏Verified account @CHecker_WIS 2h2 hours ago
Ruby Durney, who also babysit the Jones children, tells the jury, "I don't think anyone could go wrong with Tim as their children's father." Testified to never seeing any signs of drug use, mental health issues, or Jones being afraid of his kids. @wis10


Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 2h2 hours ago
Ruby Durney says she picked up the older children at Saxe Gotha Elementary School, saying Jones wanted "all the children to be together." Also says Jones "was a great father," echoing similar sentiments to her daughter-in-law.


Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 2h2 hours ago
She continues by saying she never thought Jones would kill his children since he and his children were so close. Shawn Graham begins his cross-examination.


Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 2h2 hours ago
Durney says she never saw Jones do drugs around her, and that he never exhibited any symptoms of mental illness. She steps down from the stand. Next up: Crystal Ballentine, who previously had a relationship with Jones.

 

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Caroline Hecker‏Verified account @CHecker_WIS 2h2 hours ago
Crystal Ballentine, Jones' ex-girlfriend, is on the stand now. She's visibly nervous. Testifies to moving in with Jones, along with her daughter. @wis10


Courtney King‏ @CourtReportKing 2h2 hours ago
A former live-in girlfriend of #TimothyJones is on the stand now. She says Jones started controlling how she dressed because of his religious beliefs. #TimothyJonesTrial @wachfox


Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 2h2 hours ago
Ballentine says Jones would speak in tongues, and that he would have a say in what dresses she wore. She also says there were times it sounded like he was talking to himself, but it was just him talking on the phone.


Courtney King‏ @CourtReportKing 2h2 hours ago
Crystal Ballentine is testifying that her written statement to police is wrong. In the police report, it says she heard #TimothyJones talking to himself and she heard two different voices coming from his room at one point. Today she says he was probably on the phone @wachfox


Caroline Hecker‏Verified account @CHecker_WIS 2h2 hours ago
Crystal Ballentine, Jones' ex-girlfriend and a defense witness, is not helping his cause on the stand. She is contradicting her statement made to law enforcement in Sept. 2014, saying now, "I never saw any symptoms of him being insane, ever." @wis10


Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 2h2 hours ago
She continues by saying he seemed "overstressed" at times, but she didn't have any reason to believe he was insane.


Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 2h2 hours ago
Ballentine says after she broke up with Jones, she went to visit the children a few months later, only to see Jones looking "rough."
Even though she made a statement to police saying otherwise, Ballentine says she never saw Jones acting insane.


Caroline Hecker‏Verified account @CHecker_WIS 2h2 hours ago
Jones does not look pleased listening to Ballentine's testimony. He's been writing down a lot of notes that have been passed to his attorneys. After originally telling officers she thought Jones might have shown symptoms of being "insane," she's backtracking on that now. @wis10


Caroline Hecker‏Verified account @CHecker_WIS 2h2 hours ago
Ballentine testifies, "The way he would whip them, you could hear it through the bathroom walls," and it caused a lot of conflict between the two of us. Testified to seeing bruises all over the kids. Again, not helping Jones' case. @wis10


Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 2h2 hours ago
Ballentine says at one point, Jones whipped the children really hard and had them stand on their "tippy-toes on the corner."


Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 2h2 hours ago
She also says she could hear the whippings "through the bathroom walls" and saw bruises on the children. In addition, Ballentine says she saw Jones drink and smoke marijuana. He would like to drink, among other things, Crown and Smirnoff.


Tim Scott‏ @TimScottTV 1h1 hour ago
Ballentine says she didn't like how Jones would be very controlling and wasn't a big fan of him disciplining the children. She says her daughter, who wasn't even a year old, spilled a drink and Jones was about to whip her, but Ballentine stopped him.


Caroline Hecker‏Verified account @CHecker_WIS 1h1 hour ago
The prosecution is making the most of the testimony of Crystal Ballentine, Jones' ex-girlfriend, who is describing a controlling boyfriend, a father who abused his children and a man without any mental illness. Remember, she's technically a defense witness. @wis10