Skip to content
Timothy Jones Jr.- Case Archive
personpersonMarty PattersonMarty PattersonRetired Smith County, Mississippi, undersheriff with thirty-eight years in law enforcement.← All People
Law enforcement

Marty Patterson

Courtroom still of Marty Patterson.

Retired Smith County, Mississippi, undersheriff with thirty-eight years in law enforcement.

Appeared2019 Murder Trial
362 lines·15 proceedings·11 mentions

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.

Trial Record (15)

Murder2019 Murder TrialApr 29, 2019 – Jun 13, 2019Called by prosecution

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.

Day 12

DirectMarty Patterson — DirectMarty PattersonRick Hubbard3highlights174lines spoken

Summary

Marty Patterson described the checkpoint stop, his observations of the Escalade and missing-children inquiry, and Jones's later assistance in locating the children's bodies in rural Alabama.

Highlights (3)

testimony highlightPatterson testified that he approved the Highway 18 safety checkpoint and described its required safety procedures.Open in transcript →
testimony highlightPatterson testified that Jones first said he had no children and then said he had three children with their mother while five children were being sought.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
CrossMarty Patterson — CrossMarty PattersonCasey Secor1highlight146lines spoken

Summary

Marty Patterson discussed booking forms marking psychiatric concerns, Jones's crying and incoherent interview behavior, reported voices and fear of the children, and limits in his receipt-and-map work.

Highlights (1)

Quote“Yes. But it could have been one or more persons filling those out.”— Marty PattersonPatterson qualified the inference the defense drew from the jail forms' changing entries.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
RecrossMarty Patterson — RecrossMarty PattersonCasey Secor2highlights9lines spoken

Summary

Patterson limited his knowledge of the route and receipt information; the court excused the jury for the day.

Highlights (2)

testimony highlightOn recross, Patterson said he was not familiar with the Greenville-Camden area, agreed the map showed one major road, and did not claim the receipts told him the children were between Greenville and Camden.Open in transcript →
Quote“Sir, I'm not familiar with that area. I can't tell you that.”— Marty PattersonPatterson limited his personal knowledge of the geography raised on recross.Open in transcript →

Day 13

Day 14

Day 17

Day 23