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Timothy Jones Jr.- Case Archive
personpersonJonathan LipmanJonathan LipmanNeuropharmacologist whose work concerns the effects of drugs on the brain and behavior.← All People
Expert witness

Jonathan Lipman

Neuropharmacologist whose work concerns the effects of drugs on the brain and behavior.

Appeared2019 Murder Trial
354 lines·5 proceedings·1 mention

About

Jonathan Lipman testified for the defense on Day 16 as an expert in neuropharmacology. He discussed cannabinoids, synthetic cannabinoids, Chantix, Geodon, and AB Pinaca, and offered the opinion that AB Pinaca more likely than not exacerbated an underlying psychosis-spectrum mental illness. The court qualified him as an expert in neuropharmacology.

On cross-examination, Suzanne Mayes questioned the records and assumptions supporting Lipman's opinions. Lipman acknowledged limits in his knowledge of prescription history and Chantix use, said he had not assessed Jones's reliability, and distinguished his AB Pinaca opinion from a claim that intoxication caused conduct on the day of the killings.

On redirect, defense counsel returned to Chantix dosing, psychiatric evaluations, and medication records. Lipman described the pages combined in State's Exhibit 195 as reflecting different times, discussed high-dose Geodon and other antipsychotic prescriptions, and acknowledged that he had not researched whether other medications can minimize Chantix side effects.

On recross, Mayes questioned whether the psychosis-spectrum opinion rested on information from before the killings or later institutional observations. Lipman agreed there had been no diagnosis of actual psychosis before the killings and said he was uncertain about the source of possible neighbor-interview information. His videotaped testimony was later played for the jury because of a scheduling conflict.

Key Points

Trial Record (5)

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

Jonathan Lipman testified for the defense as a neuropharmacology expert about synthetic cannabinoids, psychiatric illness, Chantix, and Geodon. Cross-examination tested the records, assumptions, and pre-killing basis for his opinion.

Day 16

DirectJonathan Lipman — DirectJonathan LipmanRobert Madsen2highlights160lines spoken

Summary

Neuropharmacologist Jonathan Lipman testified that, in his opinion, AB Pinaca more likely than not exacerbated Tim Jones's underlying psychiatric illness.

Highlights (2)

rulingThe court qualified Jonathan Lipman as an expert in neuropharmacology after the defense presented his education and professional background.Open in transcript →
Quote“I believe that his use of synthetic cannabinoid AB Pinaca more likely than not exacerbated his pre-existing and his continuing psychosis spectrum mental illness, which drove his irrational behavior.”— Jonathan LipmanLipman stated his central opinion connecting AB Pinaca use and Tim Jones's mental illness to the behavior at issue.Open in transcript →
CrossJonathan Lipman — CrossJonathan LipmanSuzanne Mayes2highlights164lines spoken

Summary

The State challenged the records, assumptions, and limits underlying Jonathan Lipman's drug-effects opinions.

Highlights (2)

Quote“Well, I've been told so. I don't have any proof of it.”— Jonathan LipmanLipman distinguished information he had been told about a dosage increase from verified records.Open in transcript →
evidence eventThe court admitted State's Exhibit 195, prescription dosage records relied on by Lipman, without objection.Open in transcript →
RedirectJonathan Lipman — RedirectJonathan LipmanRobert Madsen2highlights17lines spoken

Summary

Lipman explained psychiatric medication records and acknowledged a limit in his Chantix research.

Highlights (2)

testimony highlightLipman described State's Exhibit 195 as disconnected records from different times and explained the listed psychiatric medications, including Ziprasidone and Prolixin.Open in transcript →
Quote“195 is two pages that are totally disconnected in time. It's rather misleading that they be stabled together like this.”— Jonathan LipmanLipman criticized the temporal presentation of the medication records used on cross-examination.Open in transcript →
RecrossJonathan Lipman — RecrossJonathan LipmanSuzanne Mayes2highlights13lines spoken

Summary

Lipman acknowledged limits in the pre-killing sources for his opinions, and the court left its voluntariness ruling in place.

Highlights (2)

testimony highlightLipman agreed that there had been no diagnosis of actual psychosis before the killings, while noting that a bipolar mood disorder had been diagnosed.Open in transcript →
Quote“No. Particularly from the prison, they're based on physicians, psychiatrists, nurse technician observations of him for months and months and months. He was not immediately put on antipsychotic medication after arrest. His condition had to be evaluated, and ultimately it was, and he is diagnosed as suffering from a psychosis spectrum mental disorder.”— Jonathan LipmanLipman distinguished post-arrest institutional observations from the defendant's self-reporting as support for his opinion.Open in transcript →

Day 20