Merah Gracie Jones

Trial 12019 Murder TrialApr 29, 2019 – Jun 13, 2019

Merah Gracie Jones was named as a victim in a murder indictment and was discussed through school, childcare, and recovered-document evidence.

Jury Selection Day 1

Apr 29, 2019

ProceduralArraignment of Timothy Ray Jones, Jr.Mentioned

Summary

Jones pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to five murder indictments before the court moved to jury selection.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

jury selectionVenire Qualification and Panel AssignmentMentioned

Summary

The court qualified the venire, identified prospective jurors who had encountered publicity, and assigned panels for individual voir dire.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 12

May 15, 2019

DirectJan Wise — DirectJan WiseSuzanne MayesMentioned

Summary

Jan Wise described the children's after-school pickup records, identified Timothy Jones as the person who signed them out through August 28, and authenticated related records and video.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectJanet Ricard — DirectJanet RicardSuzanne MayesMentioned

Summary

Janet Ricard described the school's unsuccessful efforts to locate the absent children, the resulting welfare check, and her observations of Timothy Jones, Jr.'s communications and demeanor.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossJanet Ricard — CrossJanet RicardRobert MadsenMentioned

Summary

Ricard described school discipline incidents, her concerns about requested punishment, support for Eli's reading, and a DSS visit to the school.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectChristina Ehlke — DirectChristina EhlkeSuzanne MayesMentioned

Summary

Childcare provider Christina Ehlke described the children's last pickup, later texts and a phone call with Tim Jones, and her observations that his communications appeared normal.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossChristina Ehlke — CrossChristina EhlkeBoyd YoungMentioned

Summary

Ehlke discussed the residence, the children's care, DSS questions, and her qualified observations of Tim's behavior; three defense exhibits were admitted.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

RedirectChristina Ehlke — RedirectChristina EhlkeSuzanne MayesMentioned

Summary

Ehlke authenticated communications about childcare payments, clarified the DSS visit, and said Tim's social awkwardness did not cause her to question his soundness of mind.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

RecrossChristina Ehlke — RecrossChristina EhlkeBoyd YoungMentioned

Summary

Ehlke qualified her recollection of Merah's reported statement; the court preserved defense objections to phone records and prior suppression-related matters.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 13

May 16, 2019

DirectStacy Jones — DirectStacy JonesShawn GrahamMentioned

Summary

Forensic analyst Stacy Jones described processing the Cadillac Escalade, the items collected from it, and suspected biological evidence.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossStacy Jones — CrossStacy JonesRobert MadsenMentioned

Summary

Stacy Jones described the vehicle inventory and documentation as numerous defense exhibits were admitted; she also gave qualified readings from a handwritten document.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 14

May 17, 2019

DirectDavid Mackey — DirectDavid MackeyRick HubbardMentioned

Summary

FBI Agent David Mackey recounted Jones's interview, the later summary recording, and the effort that led officers to the Alabama recovery site.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

ProceduralEvidentiary Hearing on Exhibits 161–165Mentioned

Summary

The court overruled the defense objection and admitted written crime-scene summaries as State's Exhibits 161 through 165.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectBrittany Burke Pickle — Direct (Resumed)Brittany Burke PickleShawn GrahamMentioned

Summary

Pickle identified recovery summaries and authenticated vehicle evidence as the court admitted State's Exhibits 167 and 168.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 15

May 20, 2019

DirectStephanie Stanley — DirectStephanie StanleyShawn GrahamMentioned

Summary

SLED DNA analyst Stephanie Stanley reported results from a bucket and several Cadillac Escalade items matching DNA profiles of Merah, Elias, Nahtahn, Gabriel, and Abigail Jones.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectKaren Leonhardt — DirectKaren LeonhardtSuzanne MayesMentioned

Summary

School nurse Karen Leonhardt authenticated and introduced three children’s health cards, which recorded Timothy Jones as parent and stated the children were in good health.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossKaren Leonhardt — CrossKaren LeonhardtRobert MadsenMentioned

Summary

Karen Leonhardt clarified that a DSS call concerning Merah involved head lice, after defense counsel questioned her about school health-room records and contacts.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectJanice Ross — DirectJanice RossRick HubbardMentioned

Summary

Forensic pathologist Janice Ross gave autopsy findings for the five Jones children, classifying each death as a homicide and describing decomposition-related limitations.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossJanice Ross — CrossJanice RossBoyd YoungMentioned

Summary

Defense questioning of Janice Ross explored decomposition limits, changes to cause-of-death certificates, and autopsy findings concerning the children.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

RedirectJanice Ross — RedirectJanice RossRick HubbardMentioned

Summary

Janice Ross explained revisions to death-certificate conclusions and rejected accident as Nahtahn's manner of death.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

RecrossJanice Ross — RecrossJanice RossBoyd YoungMentioned

Summary

Janice Ross agreed that autopsy findings were consistent with the account attributed to Tim Jones, while qualifying her recollection of when she heard it.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectAmber Kyzer — DirectAmber KyzerSuzanne MayesMentioned

Summary

Amber Kyzer described the custody arrangement and recounted an August 28, 2014 call involving Nahtahn, then authenticated three voicemails she said she left afterward.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectAmber Kyzer — Direct (Continued)Amber KyzerSuzanne MayesMentioned

Summary

Amber Kyzer authenticated communication evidence, described her final contacts with Nahtahn and Timothy Jones, and recounted the missing-person report and unsuccessful planned visitation.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectAmber Kyzer — Direct (Continued)Amber KyzerSuzanne MayesMentioned

Summary

Amber Kyzer identified voices on a recorded call and two videos she said Tim Jones sent to her phone; the defense objected to the proposed exhibit offer.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 16

May 21, 2019

CrossMike Phipps — CrossMike PhippsBoyd YoungMentioned

Summary

Defense established that the phone report selected 1,240 artifacts from roughly 24,750 data points and elicited limits on interpreting some entries.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

RedirectMike Phipps — RedirectMike PhippsShawn GrahamMentioned

Summary

Phipps identified schizophrenia-related searches and a subsequent text message; State's Exhibit 199 was marked for identification only.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 17

May 22, 2019

RedirectMike Phipps — Redirect (Resumed)Mike PhippsShawn GrahamMentioned

Summary

Phipps clarified the phone-data report's scope, identified searches and messages, and reported no keyword results about children threatening or harming the Defendant.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectAdam Creech — DirectAdam CreechRobert MadsenMentioned

Summary

Creech described the investigation, an unrecorded portion of Timothy Ray Jones Jr.'s interview, reported statements about the children, and the recovery effort; the jury heard Defendant's Exhibit 130.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossAdam Creech — Cross (Resumed)Adam CreechRick HubbardMentioned

Summary

Creech described Jones's reported statements after Nahtahn's death as the State introduced Wal-Mart stills and examined handwritten notes; the court limited a hypothetical and cautioned both sides about courtroom tone.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 18

May 23, 2019

DirectEric Brenton Sadreameli — DirectEric Brenton SadreameliBoyd YoungMentioned

Summary

Sadreameli described the defense inventory of materials from the South Lake Drive house and identified selected religious and children's items.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectApril Hames — DirectApril HamesBoyd YoungMentioned

Summary

April Hames described counseling records concerning Tim's marital distress, parenting, reported mental-health symptoms, and diagnostic codes; Defense Exhibit 134 was admitted.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 19

May 24, 2019

DirectRoberta Thornsberry — DirectRoberta ThornsberryCasey SecorMentioned

Summary

Roberta Thornsberry described the defendant's childhood, family history, and later religious focus, then identified family photographs and an Atlanta video admitted for the jury.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 20

May 28, 2019

ProceduralCounselor Testimony Admissibility HearingMentioned

Summary

The court deferred a dispute over counselor testimony and the confidentiality of records concerning Elias and Merah.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectSherry Henry — DirectSherry HenryRobert MadsenMentioned

Summary

DSS caseworker Sherry Henry described two 2014 investigations, a safety plan, case findings, and defense photographs admitted into evidence.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossSherry Henry — CrossSherry HenrySuzanne MayesMentioned

Summary

Sherry Henry confirmed that DSS safety plans barred corporal punishment and described limits in her knowledge and records concerning the August 2014 report.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectKimberly Fender — Proffer DirectKimberly FenderBoyd YoungMentioned

Summary

Therapist Kimberly Fender gave a defense proffer about counseling records, reported family concerns, discipline, and her lack of a DSS report.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossKimberly Fender — Proffer CrossKimberly FenderSuzanne MayesMentioned

Summary

Kimberly Fender confirmed that her counseling contact ended in January 2013 and that she lacked knowledge of later school-counselor disclosures.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectKimberly Fender — DirectKimberly FenderBoyd YoungMentioned

Summary

Kimberly Fender identified her counseling work with Elias and Merah in 2012 and 2013.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 21

May 29, 2019

DirectJodie Durney — DirectJodie DurneyRobert MadsenMentioned

Summary

Former childcare provider Jodie Durney described her observations of Tim's parenting and acknowledged prior convictions.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectRuby Durney — DirectRuby DurneyRobert MadsenMentioned

Summary

Ruby Durney described Tim as a prepared, protective father and said she saw no signs of drug use, voices, or fear of his children.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectChrystal Ballentine — DirectChrystal BallentineBoyd YoungMentioned

Summary

Chrystal Ballentine described Jones as increasingly controlling, disputed parts of her prior statement about his behavior, and Defense Exhibit 267 was admitted subject to objection.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossChrystal Ballentine — CrossChrystal BallentineSuzanne MayesMentioned

Summary

Chrystal Ballentine described harsh discipline and bruising she said she observed, while testifying that the defendant appeared aware of reality and right and wrong.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossSandra Black — CrossSandra BlackSuzanne MayesMentioned

Summary

Sandra Black confirmed the contents and limits of Chrystal's statement about Timothy Jones, including reported substance use and self-talk but no reported hallucinations or loss of reality.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectJoy Lorick — DirectJoy LorickBoyd YoungMentioned

Summary

Former babysitter Joy Lorick described household conditions, family trips, discipline, and concerns about the children's food; defense travel records and photographs were admitted.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossJoy Lorick — CrossJoy LorickSuzanne MayesMentioned

Summary

Joy Lorick described observed discipline and a DSS report while saying Mr. Jones appeared mentally clear and aware during the time she knew him.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectTimothy Jones, Sr. — DirectTimothy Jones, Sr.Casey SecorMentioned

Summary

Timothy Jones, Sr. described family history, efforts to locate the children, and post-arrest interactions with Timmy; the court limited a custody-related line of questioning and admitted family photographs.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 22

May 30, 2019

DirectRichard Frierson — DirectRichard FriersonBoyd YoungMentioned

Summary

Court-appointed psychiatrist Richard Frierson testified that Mr. Jones could distinguish right from wrong at the time of the alleged offenses while diagnosing substance-induced psychosis associated with spice.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossRichard Frierson — CrossRichard FriersonShawn GrahamMentioned

Summary

Forensic psychiatrist Richard Frierson testified that Mr. Jones's symptoms were substance-induced and that Jones could distinguish right from wrong and conform his conduct to the law.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 23

May 31, 2019

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.

CrossJulie Dorney — CrossJulie DorneyShawn GrahamMentioned

Summary

The prosecution challenged the foundation and alternative explanations for Dorney's psychiatric opinions; the court limited references to legal issues and considered a correction to cocaine evidence.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 24

Jun 3, 2019

ClosingState Closing Argument by Rick HubbardRick HubbardMentioned

Summary

The State argued that Jones was not insane, challenged the defense experts, and urged justice for the five children.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

ClosingDefense Closing Argument by Boyd YoungBoyd YoungMentioned

Summary

Young urged jurors to find Tim legally insane, arguing that mental illness, brain injury, and psychosis explained the deaths.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 25

Jun 4, 2019

VerdictVerdict returned and jury polledMentioned

Summary

The jury returned guilty verdicts on all five indictments, and a jury poll followed.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 26

Jun 5, 2019

ProceduralPenalty-Phase Photograph Admissibility HearingMentioned

Summary

Defense sought to exclude post-mortem photographs from the penalty phase; the State outlined a limited proposed presentation, and the court requested discussion of the specific images without issuing a final ruling.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

ProceduralPenalty-Phase Photograph Admissibility HearingMentioned

Summary

The court admitted the logging-road video and selected penalty-phase photographs over defense objections, including color versions of autopsy images.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 27

Jun 6, 2019

OpeningPenalty Phase Preliminary Instructions and Opening StatementsSuzanne MayesMentioned

Summary

The parties opened the penalty phase with opposing arguments for death and life without parole.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectShelby Derrick — DirectShelby DerrickShawn GrahamMentioned

Summary

Shelby Derrick authenticated two phone videos that were admitted and published, after which the court admitted and played a redacted jail call.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectJanice Ross — DirectJanice RossRick HubbardMentioned

Summary

Janice Ross authenticated autopsy photographs and death certificates, then restated the children’s listed causes of death and several injury findings.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectJanet Ricard — DirectJanet RicardSuzanne MayesMentioned

Summary

Ricard described the children's school lives and academic progress, authenticated school records and photographs, and testified in a proffer about a school mural.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectJanet Ricard — Direct ResumedJanet RicardSuzanne MayesMentioned

Summary

Ricard described school memorials and records for the children, authenticated an exhibit, and said the crimes still affect her.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossJanet Ricard — CrossJanet RicardRobert MadsenMentioned

Summary

Ricard identified four school-related defense photographs, which the court admitted without objection.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectJoy Lorick — DirectJoy LorickSuzanne MayesMentioned

Summary

Joy Lorick described the children and the impact of learning of their deaths; the court admitted photographs without objection.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossJoy Lorick — CrossJoy LorickBoyd YoungMentioned

Summary

Lorick identified people in defense photographs, and the court deferred ruling on defense counsel's objection to jury-room access to autopsy photographs.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 28

Jun 7, 2019

DirectAmy Shearer — DirectAmy ShearerSuzanne MayesMentioned

Summary

Amy Shearer described Nahtahn's kindergarten year, her report to DSS after observing bruising, his school accomplishments, and the lasting effect of his death.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 29

Jun 10, 2019

CrossRoberta Thornsberry — CrossRoberta ThornsberryShawn GrahamMentioned

Summary

Thornsberry said she did not know of DSS concerns and described limited observations that Tim appeared unwell during an Atlanta visit.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectTimothy Jones, Sr. — DirectTimothy Jones, Sr.Casey SecorMentioned

Summary

Timothy Jones, Sr. used family photos and a pool video to describe family memories, then opposed a death sentence for his son.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 30

Jun 11, 2019

CrossAmber Kyzer — CrossAmber KyzerSuzanne MayesMentioned

Summary

Amber Kyzer described conflicted feelings about sentencing, alleged violence during her marriage, and what she viewed as Tim's manipulation of contact with the children.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 31

Jun 12, 2019

DirectJulie Jones — DirectJulie JonesCasey SecorMentioned

Summary

Julie Jones described family relationships, grief after the children were reported missing, and her request that Tim receive mercy rather than death.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossJulie Jones — CrossJulie JonesShawn GrahamMentioned

Summary

Julie Jones described close family contact before 2012, then loss of contact after Tim left with the children; she denied knowing of later DSS involvement or spice use.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectTravis Jones — DirectTravis JonesCasey SecorMentioned

Summary

Travis Jones described Tim's support in his life, identified admitted family photographs, and emotionally asked that Tim not lose his life.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectJackie Rangel — DirectJackie RangelCasey SecorMentioned

Summary

Jackie Rangel described her relationship with the children, the memorial service, forgiving her brother, and opposing a death sentence.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 32

Jun 13, 2019

ClosingProsecution Closing ArgumentRick HubbardMentioned

Summary

The State urged a death sentence, emphasizing statutory aggravating circumstances, the children's lives, and the recovery evidence while arguing that mitigation did not warrant mercy.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

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