Marty Patterson testified about the Smith County checkpoint, observations at the Escalade, and the later trip to the rural Alabama location where the children were found. Defense questioning tested the limits of his map and route testimony.
Marty Patterson

Retired Smith County, Mississippi, undersheriff with thirty-eight years in law enforcement.
About
Marty Patterson testified on Day 12 about authorizing a Smith County safety checkpoint and responding when the Escalade was stopped. He said he detected a decomposition odor and observed bleach, chemicals, and what appeared to be blood; he also described Jones giving differing accounts of his children, the preservation of the vehicle, and receipt recovery.
Patterson further described Jones's condition during a September 7 interview and a September 9 trip in which Timothy Jones, Jr. led officers to a rural Alabama location where the children were found.
On cross-examination, Patterson authenticated jail booking and monitoring records and discussed maps and receipt photographs. He said he did not make the maps and, on recross, agreed that one map showed a major road while maintaining that he was not familiar with the area and could not say the receipts established that the children were between Greenville and Camden. Redirect examination followed cross-examination.
Key Points
Patterson testified that he authorized the checkpoint and, after arriving at the Escalade, observed a decomposition odor, chemicals, and what appeared to be blood. [1]
He described the missing-children concern at the checkpoint, preservation of the Escalade, and recovery of receipts sent to South Carolina. [1]
Patterson testified that Timothy Jones, Jr. led officers to the rural Alabama location where the children were found. [1]
On recross, Patterson agreed the map showed one major road but said he was not familiar with the area and could not say the receipts established the children were between Greenville and Camden. [1]
Trial Record (15)
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