Sandra Black Testimony & Transcripts - Timothy Jones Jr. Case Archive

About

Sandra Black, a Lexington County Sheriff's Office detective, testified for the defense on Day 21 about her 2014 interview of Chrystal Ballentine. On direct examination, Black identified Defense Exhibit 267 as Ballentine's written statement and said she prepared it from what Ballentine told her.

Black's testimony described reported observations in that statement, including self-talk by Timothy Jones. The statement also included reports of controlling behavior, alleged bruising of a child, alcohol and marijuana use, and statements to the children about their mother.

On cross-examination, Black confirmed the limits of Ballentine's reported mental-health observations: Ballentine did not report hallucinations, a break from reality, or an inability to distinguish right from wrong. Black also said she could not recall the interview time or whether it occurred at night.

Key Points

Black identified Defense Exhibit 267 as Chrystal Ballentine's written statement and said she prepared it from Ballentine's account. ^[1]

Black confirmed that the statement reported controlling behavior, alleged bruising of a child, alcohol and marijuana use, and self-talk by Timothy Jones. ^[1]

Black confirmed that the statement did not report hallucinations, loss of reality, or an inability to distinguish right from wrong. ^[1]

Trial Record (2)

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

Sandra Black testified on Day 21 about the written statement she prepared from Chrystal Ballentine's 2014 interview account, including both the reported conduct and the limits of Ballentine's mental-health observations.

Day 21

May 29, 2019

DirectSandra Black — DirectSandra BlackBoyd Young3highlights22lines spoken

Summary

Detective Sandra Black authenticated Chrystal Ballentine's written statement and confirmed its reported references to Mr. Jones talking to himself.

Highlights (3)

testimony highlightSandra Black confirmed that she interviewed Chrystal Ballentine in 2014 and prepared a report of the interview.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

evidence eventBlack testified that Ballentine asked her to write a statement and that she wrote only what Ballentine told her; Black identified Defense Exhibit 267 as that statement.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Quote“I told her I would write it for her, but I would only write what she told me, exactly what she told me.”— Sandra BlackBlack described how she prepared Ballentine's written statement.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

CrossSandra Black — CrossSandra BlackSuzanne Mayes3highlights30lines spoken

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.

Highlights (3)

testimony highlightBlack said she could identify the interview date but could not recall its time, including whether it occurred at night.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Quote“Her house, yes, ma'am. I'm not sure of the date or time, no.”— Sandra BlackBlack acknowledged a limit on her recollection of the circumstances of the interview.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

testimony highlightBlack confirmed that Chrystal's statement included reports of Timothy Jones's controlling behavior, alleged bruising of a child, alcohol and marijuana use, and self-talk, while not reporting hallucinations, a break from reality, or inability to distinguish right from wrong.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶