Travis Snyder testified for the defense as a neuroradiology expert, interpreting MRI findings as consistent with traumatic brain injury while explaining the limits of what imaging could establish about diagnosis, timing, and individual functioning.
Expert witness
Travis Snyder
Neuroradiologist who interprets brain and spine imaging, including MRI and CT scans.
Appeared2019 Murder Trial
181 lines·7 proceedings·4 mentions
About
Travis Snyder testified for the defense as an expert in neuroradiology on Day 11. He reviewed Timothy Ray Jones Jr.'s MRI and described a left frontal depressed skull fracture, hemorrhages, cortical thinning and scarring, and right hippocampal and fornix atrophy that he said were consistent with traumatic brain injury. The court admitted his report and presentation slides, while directing that questions about functional effects remain within his neuroradiology expertise.
Snyder explained that imaging did not show a mild injury, but said clinical information would be necessary to distinguish moderate from severe injury and to determine particular deficits. He also said some findings had been described in schizophrenia or schizoaffective-type disorders, while maintaining that MRI could not diagnose either condition.
On cross-examination, Snyder agreed that he could not determine when certain findings arose or assess Jones's actual functioning. He maintained that the MRI showed traumatic brain injury and that related symptoms were possible, but did not testify that the injury caused the deaths of Jones's children. The court limited questions concerning medication effects and school-performance records as outside his expertise.
On redirect, Snyder testified that repeated traumatic brain injuries tend to lead to poorer outcomes and described a general risk of dementia secondary to traumatic brain injury. He said traumatic brain injury was not an accepted cause of schizophrenia and could not conclude from imaging that behavioral changes were more likely than not caused by the injury. The court excluded a frontotemporal-dementia proffer from the jury and sustained further schizophrenia-related questions beyond the permitted scope.
After the State rested, the defense played Snyder's previously recorded testimony for the jury. His report and slides were admitted as defense exhibits; his curriculum vitae was marked for identification but not admitted.
Key Points
Snyder interpreted the MRI as showing structural findings consistent with traumatic brain injury, including a left frontal depressed skull fracture, hemorrhages, cortical thinning and scarring, and atrophy in the right hippocampus and fornix. [1]
He agreed that imaging alone could not establish a psychiatric diagnosis, date the injuries, or assess Jones's individual functional deficits. [1]
Snyder described general risks associated with repeated traumatic brain injury but did not say that brain injury was an accepted cause of schizophrenia or that imaging made behavioral changes more likely than not. [1]
Trial Record (7)
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