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Timothy Jones Jr.- Case Archive
personpersonErin BiglerErin BiglerRetired Brigham Young University professor of psychology and neuroscience who directed MRI research there.← All People
Expert witness

Erin Bigler

Courtroom still of Erin Bigler.

Retired Brigham Young University professor of psychology and neuroscience who directed MRI research there.

Appeared2019 Murder Trial
137 lines·8 proceedings·4 mentions

About

Erin Bigler testified for the defense on Day 19 as a neuropsychology expert. After the court accepted him as an expert, he interpreted MRI findings that he associated with an old traumatic brain injury and discussed possible effects of frontal and temporal injury on executive function, emotional regulation, cognition, and behavior.

On cross-examination, Bigler drew limits around those opinions. He said imaging could not show that an injury caused the killings, determine whether Jones knew right from wrong, or diagnose schizophrenia from a scan; he described traumatic brain injury as a possible risk factor in some circumstances, not a guarantee of schizophrenia.

On redirect, Bigler said a revised hypothetical involving family history, scan findings, and auditory hallucinations was consistent with schizophrenia, while explaining that diagnosis usually requires a psychologist and psychiatrist. On recross, he agreed that the assessment discussed required clinical correlation, interview, and mental-status examination, not imaging alone.

Key Points

Trial Record (8)

Trial 12019 Murder TrialApr 29, 2019 – Jun 13, 2019Called by defense

Erin Bigler testified for the defense as a neuropsychology expert on Day 19, interpreting MRI findings and explaining possible effects of brain injury. Under cross-examination, he limited what imaging could establish about diagnosis, behavior, and legal understanding.

Day 11

Day 18

Day 19

DirectErin Bigler — DirectErin BiglerBoyd Young3highlights58lines spoken

Summary

Neuropsychologist Erin Bigler testified that MRI scans showed traumatic brain injury and brain abnormalities he associated with effects on behavior and emotional regulation.

Highlights (3)

Quote“But the moment that I looked at Mr. Jones' scan, I could tell that there was a significant traumatic brain injury and that he had a skull defect.”— Erin BiglerBigler gave his central imaging-based opinion about the scans.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
CrossErin Bigler — CrossErin BiglerRick Hubbard2highlights57lines spoken

Summary

Erin Bigler said brain imaging could show injury and increased risk factors but could not diagnose schizophrenia, explain the killings, or answer whether Mr. Jones knew right from wrong.

Highlights (2)

testimony highlightBigler said his testimony could identify traumatic brain injury and objective abnormalities but could not say the injury caused the killings or address whether Mr. Jones knew legal and moral right from wrong.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
Quote“You can't. But in the clinic, if you put your clinician hat on and you look at these things, the feedback that you would give to a family is that there -- if there was a history of schizophrenia and the person had a TBI like this, you would give them feedback that they're at increased risk.”— Erin BiglerBigler distinguished increased risk from a diagnostic conclusion based on brain imaging.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
RedirectErin Bigler — RedirectErin BiglerBoyd Young2highlights14lines spoken

Summary

Bigler said a revised hypothetical involving family history, scan findings, and auditory hallucinations was consistent with schizophrenia, while qualifying that diagnosis is usually collaborative.

Highlights (2)

testimony highlightThe court allowed the revised hypothetical, and Bigler testified that the described features were consistent with schizophrenia and could support a straightforward initial conclusion, while diagnosis would ordinarily involve a psychologist and psychiatrist working together.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
Quote“All of that is certainly consistent with it being schizophrenia. Schizophrenia usually is then diagnosed as more of a team approach where a psychologist and a psychiatrist work together in making that diagnosis.”— Erin BiglerBigler explained that the revised hypothetical was consistent with schizophrenia while qualifying that diagnosis is ordinarily collaborative.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
RecrossErin Bigler — RecrossErin BiglerRick Hubbard2highlights8lines spoken

Summary

Bigler agreed that clinical assessment is needed alongside imaging when evaluating self-reported symptoms; the court then admitted Defendant's Exhibit 137 and ordered a proffer.

Highlights (2)

testimony highlightOn recross, Bigler agreed that evaluating self-reported symptoms requires clinical correlation, interviews, and a mental-status examination rather than brain imaging alone.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
Quote“All of that requires clinical correlation and clinical interview and what is referred to as a mental status examination.”— Erin BiglerBigler agreed that assessing the issues raised by self-reported symptoms requires clinical evaluation beyond imaging.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Day 23

DirectJulie Dorney — DirectJulie DorneyBoyd YoungMentioned

Summary

Forensic psychiatrist Julie Dorney testified that Jones had schizo-affective disorder and gave criminal-responsibility opinions supporting the defense's insanity theory; the court required clarification about the limits of related testing evidence.

Mentioned in this proceeding.