4.Christina Ehlke — Direct/Cross/Redirect/Recross
761 linesCHRISTINA EHLKE, being first duly sworn, testified as follows:
COURT CLERK: Once you're seated, state your full name spelling your last.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: My name is Christina Ehlke. My last name is spelled E-h-l-k-e.
DIRECT EXAMINATION By Ms. Mayes:
MS. MAYES: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you employed?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I work for United Cerebral Palsy with special needs adults.
MS. MAYES: How long have you been in this role, Ms. Ehlke?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I've been with that company since December of 2015, so almost three years.
MS. MAYES: All right. And you mentioned that you work with adults who are special needs. How long have you been in the role of a caregiver in that field?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Many, many years. Yeah.
MS. MAYES: Before you started working with adults --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Uh-huh. (Indicated in the affirmative.)
MS. MAYES: -- who had special needs, what type of work did you do?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I was a childcare provider. I worked in several childcare centers and I also kept children in my home.
MS. MAYES: All right. Ms. Ehlke, as a result of that job, childcare --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Uh-huh. (Indicated in the affirmative.)
MS. MAYES: -- how is it that you knew the Jones children?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I watched the Jones children -- actually, I lived next door to Tim and the children. And I also babysat all five children in the late summer. And when the three older returned to school I had the babies, Gabe and Elaine.
MS. MAYES: I'm going to ask you about this.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Okay.
MS. MAYES: Where you're seated, can you see the board over here?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes, ma'am.
MS. MAYES: You can see Merah and Eli and Nahtahn's name?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: You mentioned the babies?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes, Gabe and Elaine.
MS. MAYES: And you took care of them?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I did.
MS. MAYES: Tell us a little bit about Gabe. Gabriel, but you call him Gabe.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Okay.
MS. MAYES: How old was Gabriel in the summer of 2014?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: He was two, I believe.
MS. MAYES: All right. And then Elaine --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: -- is what you called her. Are you aware of what her birth name was?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Abigail. Yes.
MS. MAYES: And Abigail who you called Elaine, how old was she?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: One.
MS. MAYES: And you mentioned when the older kids were in school you would take care of Gabe and Elaine?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: But at what point in time did you care for all five children together?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: The end of the summer up until school started back in August.
MS. MAYES: All right. Tell us how it was that you came to be a childcare provider for the Defendant in this case, Timothy Jones?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Initially I had an ad on Craigslist, I believe, to keep children. Yeah, it was Craigslist. But I also -- my friend, Joy, was keeping the children prior to me. And she referred them back to me when she decided to stop keeping them and Tim asked me if I could.
MS. MAYES: All right. I'm going to stop you right there and follow-up a little bit more.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Okay.
MS. MAYES: You mentioned your friend, Joy.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: And what is Joy's last name?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Lorick.
MS. MAYES: Okay. And Joy had previously kept all five children --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: -- for Mr. Jones?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: And then you mentioned that there came a point in time where she no longer was taking care of his children?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Right.
MS. MAYES: And approximately when was that, Ms. Ehlke?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Approximately mid-July of 2014.
MS. MAYES: Okay. So we're talking a period of the summer of 2014, roughly six weeks or so before they were killed?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yeah. Yes, ma'am.
MS. MAYES: And you mentioned that you lived next door.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: I'm going to ask you a little bit about that as well.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Okay.
MS. MAYES: I'll move this over. I'm going to show you a document and ask you whether or not you recognize it.
MS. MAYES: And this would be State's 5 for evidence. No objection, Your Honor.
THE COURT: Okay. State's 5 is going to be admitted without objection.
(Whereupon, State's Exhibit number 5 was admitted into evidence.)
MS. MAYES: Can you tell us whether or not you recognize what's depicted in this photograph?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes, I do.
MS. MAYES: Looking here at this photograph, Ms. Ehlke --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Uh-huh.
MS. MAYES: -- what roadway is this within Lexington County?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Highway 6.
MS. MAYES: All right. And did you have anything in your home or around your residence that the children liked to play in?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Oh, yeah. I had a trampoline and I had blowup swimming pools in the back.
MS. MAYES: Whose residence is this right here on the aerial photograph?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Mine.
MS. MAYES: Okay. And then whose residence is here?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: That's Tim and the children.
MS. MAYES: And again, just to clarify. This would be your residence here?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: And then this is Mr. Jones here?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: South Lake Highway over there?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: So take us through, Ms. Ehlke, that summer. How often was it that you would see and communicate with Mr. Jones during the time that you were caring for all five children before they started school in August?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: In the mornings when he dropped them off, and in the evenings when he picked them up.
MS. MAYES: All right. And then --
MR. YOUNG: Ms. Mayes, I don't mind to interrupt. Do you mind if I move that so I can get --
MS. MAYES: Of course not.
MS. MAYES: And then would you also have communications with Mr. Jones regarding things such as your payment, childcare arrangements, everything that involved children?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: During the course of those communications with Mr. Jones, can you tell us whether or not he communicated with you normally?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: He did.
MS. MAYES: Did he appear to understand all the communications between the two of you?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: He did.
MS. MAYES: Was he able to converse with you in a clear and rational manner?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes, ma'am.
MS. MAYES: And then once the older children started school, Merah, Eli, Nahtahn --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: -- what were the arrangements for Gabe and Abigail who you called Elaine?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: They just stayed with me the same amount of time as they always did, just without their siblings.
MS. MAYES: So in the mornings when he would go to his job as Intel, who would bring Gabe and Elaine to your residence over there next door?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Tim would.
MS. MAYES: And then in the evenings after he's home from work and after the three older kids had been picked up from school, who would pick up Gabe and Elaine?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Tim.
MS. MAYES: On Thursday, August 28th, 2014, it was a school day for Merah, Eli and Nahtahn. Who brought Gabe and Elaine to your residence?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Tim -- Tim did.
MS. MAYES: And that night?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: He picked them up.
MS. MAYES: Tim picked up Gabe and Elaine?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: What do you remember about that day, the last time?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Nothing out of the ordinary. The children were happy to see him and he got them and left, just as always.
MS. MAYES: Did he appear afraid of those two babies?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: No, not at all.
MS. MAYES: Ms. Ehlke, that was a Thursday. Thursday the 28th. That next day, Friday, were you expecting Gabe and Elaine?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes, ma'am.
MS. MAYES: What happened?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: They didn't show up. I text him and asked where they were or if they were coming and he said no. He didn't elaborate and I didn't ask any more questions.
MS. MAYES: I want to follow-up a little bit more about that. You knew that he worked at Intel?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I did.
MS. MAYES: When you needed to communicate about the kids and it wasn't in person, how would you normally communicate?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Through text.
MS. MAYES: Did you have a cell phone at the time?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I did.
MS. MAYES: Did he have a cell phone at the time?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: Was he -- Tim Jones saved in your contacts?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: What name did you have him saved under in your contacts?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Tim.
MS. MAYES: How commonly would you text one another to speak about the children or make arrangements for them?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: As commonly as needed. Any time that there was a question or I needed diapers or anything I would text him.
MS. MAYES: I'm going to show you what's marked as State's Exhibit 50 and 51 and ask you whether or not you recognize these documents.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes, I do.
MS. MAYES: And I'll need you to speak up loud enough for the court reporter to hear you.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes, I do.
MS. MAYES: And you've reviewed these documents prior to today?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes, ma'am.
MS. MAYES: Can you tell us, Ms. Ehlke, if these documents in State's 50 and 51 are a fair and accurate representation of the text messages between yourself and the Defendant, Timothy Jones, Jr., on or between August 29th, 2014 and September 2nd, 2014?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes, ma'am.
MS. MAYES: And this would be State's 50 and 51 for evidence, Your Honor.
MR. YOUNG: No objection.
THE COURT: 50 and 51 admitted without objection.
(Whereupon, State's Exhibit numbers 50 and 51 were admitted into evidence.)
MS. MAYES: You said he is saved in your contacts?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: And I'm going to ask you to review these exhibits which are State's 13, 14 and 15, and 16, and ask you whether or not you recognize them.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes. Yes.
MS. MAYES: Is that --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Uh-huh.
MS. MAYES: Is that a fair and accurate representation of your Pro phone?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: Your phone number?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: Your contacts list?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: And the name Tim in your contacts list?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: And that person that you had in your contacts list saved as Tim is who?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Tim Jones.
MS. MAYES: And, Your Honor, these would be State's 13 through 16 for evidence.
MR. YOUNG: No objection.
THE COURT: No objection, 13, 14, 15, 16 are in.
(Whereupon, State's Exhibit numbers 13, 14, 15 and 16 were admitted into evidence.)
MS. MAYES: Now, you mentioned that on August 29th, that Friday when the kids didn't show up, you sent him a text. Do you recall whether or not he responded to that?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes, he did.
MS. MAYES: I'm going to show you what is marked as State's 17 and 18 and ask you whether or not you recognize these?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: Are these messages a fair and accurate representation of the exact messages sent to you by Tim Jones?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes, ma'am.
MS. MAYES: And sent to your cell phone?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: Next I want to ask you whether or not you communicated with him on September 1st, which would be Labor Day?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: I'm going to show you what is State's 19 and 20.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes, those are accurate.
MS. MAYES: Is this a fair and accurate representation of the text you received from Tim and the one you responded back to?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes, it is.
MS. MAYES: Then that following day on the 2nd, the day after Labor Day, did you continue to communicate with him by text messages?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I did.
MS. MAYES: All right. Then I ask you to take a look at what is State's 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28. If you can look at these and tell us whether these are a fair and accurate representation of the communications you had with Mr. Jones.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes, it is.
MS. MAYES: We would ask to publish at this time, Your Honor.
THE COURT: Has 17 through 20 been offered?
MS. MAYES: Yes, sir, Your Honor.
THE COURT: I think 17, 18, 19 and 20 are there for you, Mr. Young, and Ms. Mayes has 21 through 28 in her hand, I believe.
MS. MAYES: Yes, sir, Your Honor.
COURT REPORTER: I don't have that being entered.
THE COURT: I don't either. Mr. Young will want to see them first.
MS. MAYES: We have 29 as well, Your Honor.
THE COURT: 29 as well. They're all text to and from on the 2nd?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes, sir.
MS. MAYES: Yes, sir, Your Honor.
THE COURT: Any objection?
MR. YOUNG: No, Your Honor.
THE COURT: For the record, 17 through 29 are the screenshots from -- text messages back and forth are all admitted without objection, and that's inclusive 17 through 29.
(Whereupon, State's Exhibit numbers 17 through 29, were admitted into evidence.)
MS. MAYES: I want to start here, Ms. Ehlke. August 29th, that Friday. It's 9:38 a.m. When the children have not shown up next door or been dropped off as they normally would on a Friday morning what text did you send to Tim?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: "I'm just wondering if the kids are coming."
MS. MAYES: Did you get a response back for that?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: And it was sent to Christina Ehlke?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: That's your number?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: It is.
MS. MAYES: And who sent that response back to you?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Tim.
MS. MAYES: His response was what?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: "Don't worry about this morning. I'll see you later next week."
MS. MAYES: So this had been unexpected?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: What did you say or do in response?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I said, "So are they coming Monday, or when?"
MS. MAYES: And you're referring to Monday, Labor Day, or thereafter?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Right.
MS. MAYES: And did he respond to that message?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: He did.
MS. MAYES: What was his response?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: "Tuesday."
MS. MAYES: He's telling you not today, on Friday, but they'll be there Tuesday?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: What did you say in response to that?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I said, "Okay. Well, have a good Labor Day."
MS. MAYES: Now, Labor Day comes around. Did you see any sign of activity next door?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Nothing. No vehicle, nothing.
MS. MAYES: And you're still expecting the children to come in on Tuesday, the 2nd, because he had told you that they would be in on Tuesday?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: So in response to expecting them on Tuesday what, if any, message did you send to Mr. Jones?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I sent him a reminder. "Just a reminder, please bring some diapers tomorrow."
MS. MAYES: And what did you mean in reference to that?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Tomorrow being Tuesday when they were supposed to return.
MS. MAYES: Okay. And was it normal with you keeping the two babies, Gabe and Elaine --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: -- that you may need diapers?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: And what was his response to that?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: "Busy, question mark."
MS. MAYES: So you're reminding him to bring diapers and his response back to you was --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Busy and a question mark, yeah.
MS. MAYES: What did you say back?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I said, "Okay." I didn't quiet understand what that meant, busy.
MS. MAYES: All right. What happened next, Ms. Ehlke?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: He called.
MS. MAYES: All right. So when we see this here -- now we're not looking at messages anymore. We're looking at a call log. We see a call to Christina Ehlke that's 17 minutes and 34 seconds. Who made that call?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Tim Jones.
MS. MAYES: Take us through that phone call, Ms. Ehlke.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: He said that he had left South Carolina. That he needed a fresh start, he and the kids, and they would not be returning. He said that he -- he knew he owed me money and -- for babysitting, and that he had taken everything he needed from the home and I was free to get whatever I needed out of the home to compensate for what he owed me. He mentioned the washer and dryer, his computer, things that, I guess, were of value, or he thought that I could sell to make the money back, I guess. And that was it.
MS. MAYES: It was a 17 minute conversation. Who's doing most of the talking in that phone call?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I would say him.
MS. MAYES: Did he ever say anything in the course of that phone call to lead you to believe that the children were in jeopardy?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Never.
MS. MAYES: How convincing was he in telling you this story?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Perfectly convincing. Never once did I have an inclination that anything was wrong.
MS. MAYES: You had no idea on the day that you received this phone call, September 1st, you had no idea that anything happened to the children?
MS. MAYES: So by him making these representations to you, were you even alarmed at that point?
MS. MAYES: It appeared normal?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: It did, for him.
MS. MAYES: And you believed him?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I did.
MS. MAYES: During the course of that phone call that was 17 minutes what, if any, arrangements were made for his residence?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yeah, I just don't recall exactly. I know that through text I told him that I'd hit His House to pick up -- oh, he did say something, clean up his residence. He did ask me if I would clean up. I assumed because he -- and I think -- I don't remember correctly, but I think it was, he made it seem like that he needed his deposit back, you know. And that maybe I could help clean up while I was over there.
MS. MAYES: And you said that he still owed you some outstanding fees --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: -- for childcare?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: In the course of that conversation, the 17 minute conversation, what, if any, arrangements were made in that regard concerning any belongings --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yeah. He was telling me that I could get the washer and dryer. He specifically mentioned the washer and dryer, the computer, and I believe that was it. Oh, clothes. He said he had kids stuff. If I wanted any kid stuff that he didn't need. He'd gotten everything he needed out of the home.
MS. MAYES: All right. And at that point in time how many children did you have?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I had two girls; a teenager and a -- I can't remember. She was eight or nine, I think. And I was also pregnant with twins.
MS. MAYES: All right. And you knew at that time that you were pregnant with twins?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: Did he offer any clothing of the children?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: That had been left behind?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: So as you're having this conversation about going into the home, taking anything that he may have left behind. Did he tell you anything specific about what his plans were other than he was moving away and getting a fresh start?
MS. MAYES: Did he indicate that the children were alive and well?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yeah. I mean, there were no indication of anything out of the norm.
MS. MAYES: I'm going to take you now to the next day, which is going to be Tuesday, September 2nd. What, if any, communications did you have with Mr. Jones at that point?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Texting.
MS. MAYES: All right. And what concerns did you have?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I just -- we rented from the same landlord, and I didn't know if it was okay for me to go into his residence, you know, being that it actually is my landlord's residence, and didn't want to have any complications behind that.
MS. MAYES: All right. So what message did you send?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I said, "Can you send me a text saying I have permission to enter the house and clean and keep what I want just so I don't get in trouble."
MS. MAYES: All right. And did he respond to that?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: He did. He said, "Sure, go ahead and clean up."
MS. MAYES: All right. And this is just four minutes after you sent that text?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: So he read it and responded right away?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: Go ahead and clean up. And then that's at 11:03.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Uh-huh. (Indicated in the affirmative.)
MS. MAYES: The following -- or within a minute later at 11:04 what, if any, message does he send to you?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: "Everything is going okay."
MS. MAYES: And your response to that?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: "Okay." I didn't quite understand what that meant either.
MS. MAYES: And at this point around the residence, living next door, was -- this only September 2nd. At this point in time had you seen any police?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Nothing.
MS. MAYES: As far as the neighborhood was concerned, had anybody in the neighborhood learned yet that the children were missing?
MS. MAYES: Then what message do you send to him shortly thereafter?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: "I haven't done anything because I want to make sure you don't want any of your stuff." I guess give him time to see what he might -- if he'd come back and get it. I didn't know.
MS. MAYES: Okay. And then what message do you send after that?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I said, "I will call His House Charity to pick up the stuff I don't want."
MS. MAYES: Okay. And what is His House?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: His House is just a charity organization for people in need.
MS. MAYES: Okay. So you were making arrangements for anything else in the home that may have been abandoned?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yeah. And my point, I think, was versus cleaning up, I'll just send your stuff to charity.
MS. MAYES: Now looking at State's 51. After you advised him that anything left behind would go to charity, what is his response just seconds later?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: "Okay."
MS. MAYES: And then you say?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: "Is that okay?" And he said, "Yeah, all yours."
MS. MAYES: And your response back to him?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: "Thank you and take care."
MS. MAYES: And did he respond back to that?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: He said, "You, too. Same to you."
MS. MAYES: He ends that conversation with you on Tuesday, September 2nd by wishing you well, just as you had wished him?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: You had no idea the children were dead?
MS. MAYES: Ms. Ehlke, I'm going to show you some photographs and ask you if you recognize what's depicted in them. State's 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 and 43. Do you recognize that location?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: Whose residence is that?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Tim and the children.
MS. MAYES: Can you tell us whether this is a fair and accurate representation of that residence when you entered it after having those communications with him?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: 34 through 43 for evidence at this time, Your Honor.
MR. YOUNG: Your Honor, I'd like to see them.
THE COURT: Okay. Any objection?
MR. YOUNG: No, Your Honor.
THE COURT: 34 through 43 inclusive are admitted without objection.
(Whereupon, State's Exhibit numbers 34 through 43 were admitted into evidence.)
MS. MAYES: Now, you had mentioned, Ms. Ehlke, about the laundry room. There had actually been a discussion with Mr. Jones about outstanding money owed to you --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: -- for the childcare. And ultimately what arrangement was made regarding the washer and dryer?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: He said that I could have it.
MS. MAYES: Okay. And what room are we looking at here inside the Jones' residence?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: The laundry area.
MS. MAYES: Okay. And the washer and dryer and not depicted in here. Did you ultimately remove them?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes, we did.
MS. MAYES: Pursuant to your discussions with the Defendant?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: I'm going to show you State's 35 and ask you what area of the home we're looking at here?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: The kitchen area.
MS. MAYES: State's 37? What are we looking at here?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Oh, the kitchen area.
MS. MAYES: And then State's 36?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: The living room when you walk in the front door.
MS. MAYES: Now, I know you said you were pregnant with twins.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: Ultimately were any clothing items removed from the Jones' residence after having that communication with him?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes, ma'am. A couple of items out of the closet.
MS. MAYES: And the closet of which room?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: The babies, Gabe and Elaine.
MS. MAYES: Gabe and Elaine. I'm going to show you a photograph and ask you if you recognize it. This is State's 38.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I do.
MS. MAYES: Whose room is that?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Gabe and Elaine.
MS. MAYES: 39, is that the same room?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: It is.
MS. MAYES: What are we looking at here?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: That's their closet. There were a couple of things hanging that we took -- or that I took for my babies.
MS. MAYES: The babies you were pregnant with?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I'm sorry?
MS. MAYES: The babies you were pregnant with?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: Did you go in the next room?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I'm sorry?
MS. MAYES: Did you go in the next room?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: No. I went to the door of it. I saw the bed and just looked in the next room.
MS. MAYES: 41, this is a photo. When you say you went to the door, this area here?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yeah.
MS. MAYES: Were you able to look into the room without actually going in?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yeah.
MS. MAYES: This is 43. Whose room was this?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Merah and Nahtahn and Eli.
MS. MAYES: Did the boys have a bunk bed?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I'm assuming, yeah.
MS. MAYES: I'm going to show you a diagram. This is State's 30, and ask you whether or not you've seen this before.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yeah, I have. Yes.
MS. MAYES: Does that appear to be a fair and accurate representation of the layout of that Jones' residence?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: The one that you went into after you had those communications with Mr. Jones?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: No objection, Your Honor.
THE COURT: Any objection?
MR. YOUNG: 30 is in without objection.
(Whereupon, State's Exhibit number 30 was admitted into evidence.)
MS. MAYES: If you can see from where you are, take us through this. When you come in the front door what are we looking at in this area here?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: The living room and the kitchen.
MS. MAYES: All right. And over to the left?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: That's his room.
MS. MAYES: Referring to the Defendant?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: And this bedroom here?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: The babies, Gabe and Elaine.
MS. MAYES: And this bedroom here?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: The older three, Merah, Elias and Nahtahn.
MS. MAYES: Ms. Ehlke, when did you become aware that the children were not safe?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: When, I'm sorry. I didn't hear you. When they were -- when did I become aware of what? That they were missing? When I got a knock at my door at 3:00, 4:00 a.m. by an officer that was looking for them.
MS. MAYES: Did you share with him any information that you shared with us today regarding those text messages with the Defendant during that period of time when the children were --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: -- considered missing?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes, I did.
MS. MAYES: Throughout that entire period of time that you worked taking care of those five children, did you at any time have any concerns for Mr. Jones' mental status?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: None at all. In fact, I thought that he was very intelligent.
MS. MAYES: So his communications with you appeared to be rational?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: Clearly expressed?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: Anything about him that would lead you to believe he was not of sound mind?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Not at all.
MS. MAYES: Ms. Ehlke, at any point in time did he appear to be afraid of his children?
MS. MAYES: That last day after 6:00 p.m. on August 28th did you see any fear in him whatsoever when he picked up his babies?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: None at all.
MS. MAYES: Nothing further.
MR. YOUNG: Your Honor, can we take 10 minutes. If the Court wants to take lunch now, that's fine.
THE COURT: That's what I was going to ask the jury. What were you guessing, estimate of time for testimony, 20, 30?
MR. YOUNG: Twenty-five.
THE COURT: Twenty minutes? Eat lunch now. Take a lunch break for about an hour and 20 minutes, he's got 20 more minutes of questions, or do his 20 now? Eat, get it done?
(Whereupon, the jurors responded to get it done.)
CROSS-EXAMINATION By Mr. Young:
MR. YOUNG: Good afternoon, Ms. Ehlke.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Good afternoon.
MR. YOUNG: Going back to when you went into Tim's house, these foggers that were out, did you put those out?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: No, sir.
MR. YOUNG: And the cabinets that were open, did you open the cabinets?
MR. YOUNG: The couches that had been flipped over, did you flip over those couches?
MR. YOUNG: It was pretty obvious that nobody had packed to move out of state. Is that fair to say?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yeah, I guess. Yeah.
MR. YOUNG: Most of the kids clothes were still there?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yeah, there were clothes. There were toys.
MR. YOUNG: Toys, books?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Right.
MR. YOUNG: All of Tim's stuff was still in his room? The computer?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I guess, yeah.
MR. YOUNG: His futon, all that stuff?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yeah.
MR. YOUNG: There were still dishes in the sink?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I can't say for sure. I don't remember exactly that part.
MR. YOUNG: You didn't check?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I didn't check that part, yeah.
MR. YOUNG: That's not what you were looking for?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Right.
MR. YOUNG: Okay. I'm going to back up a little bit. You knew -- prior to becoming Tim's neighbor you already knew Tim and the kids. Isn't that right?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MR. YOUNG: Was that a place called White Knoll Daycare, is that where you were working, or was it another daycare?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: No. I met him through the ad on Craigslist. He called me to keep his children. The babies, Gabe and Elaine. Elaine at this time was a hand baby. This was my prior residence. He brought them to me for maybe about a month, and then just all of a sudden one day said he no longer needed me. I moved maybe a year, approximately a year later, to this residence and he just happened to live next door.
MR. YOUNG: Okay.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: So that's --
MR. YOUNG: So when he saw you he was like, hey--
CHRISTINA EHLKE: -- right. We knew -- we were familiar with each other, yeah.
MR. YOUNG: And you knew Joy Lorick who was keeping the kids at the time that you moved there, right?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yeah, I knew Joy. No. I think Joy didn't start keeping them until after I moved there.
MR. YOUNG: Okay.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yeah.
MR. YOUNG: I understand.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Right.
MR. YOUNG: Trying to keep the time straight.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yeah.
MR. YOUNG: There was -- somebody else was keeping the kids, then Joy kept the kids for a couple of weeks --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Uh-huh.
MR. YOUNG: -- and then you started keeping them?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: And then I started.
MR. YOUNG: And she was the one who took the kids to the beach and to --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Disney World.
MR. YOUNG: -- Disney World?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MR. YOUNG: And then left.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yeah.
MR. YOUNG: And you knew that they -- that Tim and Ms. Lorick did not leave on good terms?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: That Tim and who?
MR. YOUNG: Ms. Lorick, Joy.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I knew that she had some concerns. I didn't know what. She didn't mention too much to me. But I knew that she had some concerns and she just no longer was willing to keep them basically.
MR. YOUNG: You knew that her and Tim were having a fight about money?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yeah. I knew that there was some money issues. I don't recall exactly, I'm sorry, what went on with Joy.
MR. YOUNG: You knew that they were having a fight?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Maybe some tension there, yes. Yes.
MR. YOUNG: Now, you gave law enforcement a statement on September 9th of 2014?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yeah. I guess, yeah. I don't remember the date. I did. I did. That's correct.
MR. YOUNG: And have you reviewed this statement?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MR. YOUNG: Okay. I'm going to ask you a couple of questions about it.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Okay. Let me just -- to refresh my memory.
MR. YOUNG: Yes, ma'am. Is that a copy of your statement?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: It refreshed my memory a little, yeah. That's definitely my statement, yes.
MR. YOUNG: You were keeping all five children from mid-July until they started school back on August 18th?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MR. YOUNG: And during that time you were asked by law enforcement to describe Tim. Is that right?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Right.
MR. YOUNG: And you described him as a weird guy but seemed to love his children?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Right.
MR. YOUNG: And you said he had strong religious beliefs but they were hard to understand?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MR. YOUNG: Can you tell me what -- what you mean by that?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I just remember one particular incident where he was talking about God, or his God that he worshiped, and he just -- I don't remember word for word, but whatever God he described wasn't the God that I worship. So it didn't really make sense to me.
MR. YOUNG: When you say not the God you worship, you're not talking about Allah versus --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yeah, something like maybe his -- his reminded me more of a Allah type Muslim maybe religion. Something that I'm not familiar with.
MR. YOUNG: Okay. Would you describe him as sort of a fundamentalist?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: What's the definition of that exactly?
MR. YOUNG: Sort of like somebody who has a really strict interpretation of the Bible?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yeah, possibly.
MR. YOUNG: Okay. You said he seemed like a strict father but not overbearing --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Right.
MR. YOUNG: -- is that right?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Right.
MR. YOUNG: But he would -- when he picked up the kids everybody would go jump on the trampoline, they would all hug him?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Every day.
MR. YOUNG: Sometimes on the weekend he would ask you to keep the two younger kids, Gabe and Elaine, so that he could take the older children to a movie or do something else?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Right. He mentioned that a couple of times, but I only actually kept them one time for him to do that.
MR. YOUNG: And you thought that that, to you, indicated that he was trying to be a good parent?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Right.
MR. YOUNG: As far as you were concerned, you did think that he was a good parent?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I did.
MR. YOUNG: Around August the 14th --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Uh-huh.
MR. YOUNG: -- DSS came to your house?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: They did.
MR. YOUNG: And they asked to observe the children and take pictures of the children. Is that right?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Right.
MR. YOUNG: And they did -- they did all that?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: They took pictures of all of the children except for one.
MR. YOUNG: Except for Nahtahn?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Nahtahn.
MR. YOUNG: He didn't want his picture taken?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: He didn't want to, and no matter how much we asked he just wouldn't do it.
MR. YOUNG: And as far as your observations, you never saw the kids with something -- with bruises that would indicate that they had been abused or beaten or anything like that?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: No, I did not.
MR. YOUNG: They were five kids and just each one they were sort of rough and tumble?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Oh, yeah.
MR. YOUNG: They naturally got bruises from playing and stuff like that?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Right.
MR. YOUNG: But nothing out of the ordinary, correct?
MR. YOUNG: At points in time Tim talked to you about his ex-wife?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: He mentioned her. I just can't, can you ask me like a direct question about it, because I just can't remember? I remember he mentioned her and he just was bitter. He seemed bitter towards her and the separation. I remember that.
MR. YOUNG: And I think what you said was your impression was that he missed her very much?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes. That he missed her. Yes.
MR. YOUNG: That he was still longing for her?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Right.
MR. YOUNG: You described -- you also described he was a very private person?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Uh-huh. He didn't talk much. It was very, you know, about the kids and that was it. We didn't conversate.
MR. YOUNG: His house is sort of at the end of the road, right?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Uh-huh.
MR. YOUNG: And they had to drive past your house to get to his house?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MR. YOUNG: And you knew that your landlord, Mr. Jackson, had cameras up around the houses?
MR. YOUNG: You never saw anybody going to Tim's house other than --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Right, uh-huh, (indicated negative.)
MR. YOUNG: No family ever visited?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: No, not that I --
MR. YOUNG: No friends --
MR. YOUNG: -- no friends ever visited? Nobody from work ever visited?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Not that I saw, no.
MR. YOUNG: And anybody who would visit would have to go right past your place to get to him?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MR. YOUNG: At one point in time he took your daughter to school some?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: He did. He took my daughter to school for a little while. They all went to Saxe Gotha, and he offered, because the bus stop was right on the busy highway and I wasn't comfortable with it. And I was pregnant, and I was also keeping children. So he said she can ride with us. And I allowed it and he took them.
MR. YOUNG: And that was when they started school on the 18th?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yeah, I guess. I don't recall exactly.
MR. YOUNG: Around about that time?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yeah.
MR. YOUNG: And around about that time there was an incident where Gabe left the house?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: He did. He and another child were napping in the living room. I was in the room -- in my room across from them doing homework, and they were both asleep. Went back to check on them. Gabe had gotten up and opened the backdoor, which was not far from where he was, unlocked it -- unlocked the bolt lock and everything and went out. I assumed -- this was the first day that Merah, Eli and Nahtahn had gone back to school. So I assumed that he was looking for his siblings. I thought, well, maybe he went home. I started over there looking for him. The grass was really high, and I just wanted to make sure that he wasn't in the grass somewhere. And I didn't see him, so I started up the dirt road and he had walked up the dirt road doing -- I guess looking -- I'm thinking looking for his siblings.
MR. YOUNG: And you talked to Tim about that, I assume?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I did. I called him.
MR. YOUNG: And his version was, well, Gabe is trying to go to school --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yeah.
MR. YOUNG: -- to look for his --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Exactly, yeah.
MR. YOUNG: -- siblings?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: He agreed that that had to be what he was doing.
MR. YOUNG: I'm getting a little bit ahead of myself. I talked to you about this briefly. I'm going to show you what's been marked as State's numbers 4, 5 and 6 --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Okay.
MR. YOUNG: -- and ask you if you recall this incident where -- I think these are from you to Tim, and this is from Tim to you, and these are the texts that go with the --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Okay.
MR. YOUNG: -- that are after the images. So if you look at these.
THE COURT: What's the exhibits, please?
MR. YOUNG: This is 6, exhibits 4, 5 and 6.
THE COURT: Oh, I thought you said State's and I was thinking wait a minute, I've got something mismarked. Those are yours?
MR. YOUNG: Yes, sir.
THE COURT: Okay. Defendant's 4, 5 and 6.
MR. YOUNG: I'm just going to ask you. Was there an incident in early August where Eli got hit with a doorknob?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: He did. Him and Merah were going back and forth arguing and Merah, when she pushed the door, it hit him -- the knob hit him in the eye and gave him a black eye. That happened at my house.
MR. YOUNG: And then a cut -- a cut above his eye?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yeah. Like a little gash there.
MR. YOUNG: And you sent Tim a picture of that cut?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I did.
MR. YOUNG: And then later that night Tim said, "I hate to bother you but can you watch the kids? I might need to take Eli to the doctor."
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Uh-huh.
MR. YOUNG: Is that right?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Uh-huh. I guess. I don't completely remember that.
COURT REPORTER: It's a yes. I can't do uh-huh, huh-uh.
THE COURT: She's taking down everything everybody's saying.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Okay.
MR. YOUNG: Around 6:47 in the afternoon did Tim say, "Sorry to bother you," and then he said --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: If that's what this shows, yes. I just don't remember exactly. But I do remember the black eye incident.
MR. YOUNG: And do you remember Tim sending you a picture of -- back after they got --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Uh-huh. I remember that picture.
MR. YOUNG: Back from the doctor's office?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yeah.
THE COURT: Which exhibit, Mr. Young?
MR. YOUNG: The picture's four. Your Honor, at this time the Defense would argue -- offer 4, 5 and 6 into evidence.
THE COURT: Any objection, Ms. Mayes?
MS. MAYES: No objection.
THE COURT: 4, 5 and 6 are admitted without objection.
(Whereupon, Defendant's Exhibit numbers 4, 5 and 6 were admitted into evidence.)
MR. YOUNG: Now, when DSS came in on the 14th that injury was healing?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I guess. I honestly don't remember.
MR. YOUNG: Okay. That was something that they were concerned about?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I don't remember that either. All I remember was them wanting to take pictures of the children's bodies.
MR. YOUNG: Do you remember explaining to them like how that cut happen, saying no, no, that happened --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I'm sorry. I don't.
MR. YOUNG: That's okay. Did the DSS caseworkers ask you about the children's food?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: They did. I do remember that. They did ask me did the children seem overly hungry ever and I told them no.
MR. YOUNG: Right. And Tim usually fed them breakfast before he brought them over to your house?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I don't know. I always made breakfast anyway, so I never really asked that question. He did come with donuts several times from Krispy Kreme that he would get for them and bring with them.
MR. YOUNG: Tim had talked to you a little bit about -- towards the middle of August about getting into med school and that he was going to move to the --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Uh-huh.
MR. YOUNG: -- Caribbean --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Uh-huh.
MR. YOUNG: -- and he was going to take the kids and that's where they were going to live?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Mentioned it several times. He said it was cheaper to go to medical school over there.
MR. YOUNG: You said -- when Tim talked about that stuff you said what may be odd or strange behavior for the average person wouldn't be for Tim because he was strange himself?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: He was. He was very socially awkward. He seemed -- he was very highly intelligent, and I'm just kind of a down to earth regular girl, so our -- we didn't have much in common, I guess.
MR. YOUNG: Finally you were asked the question from the investigator about during your interactions with Tim Jones did he appear to have any mental issues or defect in your opinion. And you're response was, "Yes. I'm not a doctor, but he was a bit scatterbrained and changed his mind a lot. He seemed to have bouts of ups and downs where he would be quiet and possibly sad or hyper and happy."
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Right. All of that, it was in relation -- what I was feeling was that the separation from his wife. That he may have suffered from some depression or, you know, being upset because of that split up. And again, I do think that he missed her.
MR. YOUNG: And in addition to being depressed, you also saw him hyper and happy?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Oh, yeah. He sometimes just, "Hey, how you doing." You know, you could tell he had a good day or whatever.
MR. YOUNG: And that he changed his mind a lot?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I do remember him changing his mind. Like, for instance, him wanting me to keep the kids on the weekend. Okay. Well, I'm going to take them this weekend, and he may change his mind for whatever reason.
MR. YOUNG: Okay. And scatterbrained?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I don't really remember what I meant by that.
MR. YOUNG: When you --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Maybe forgetful. I know I feel like I'm scatterbrained, and that means like forgetful or, you know, just has a lot on my plate. A lot of responsibility.
MR. YOUNG: Sometimes he would start a thought and then change it to something else?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: No. Not like conversationally. Just seemed to be. Yeah.
MR. YOUNG: When he was hyper would he speak really fast?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Not that I noticed.
MR. YOUNG: You never saw any indication of any drug use or abuse?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: No, uh-uh.
MR. YOUNG: Beg the Court's indulgence. Thank you, Ms. Ehlke. That's all the questions I have.
MS. MAYES: Briefly, Your Honor.
REDIRECT EXAMINATION By Ms. Mayes:
MS. MAYES: Ms. Ehlke, I just want to follow-up on a couple of those points.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Okay.
MS. MAYES: He was asking you about the plans for medical school. Is that something that Mr. Jones expressed to you?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Oh, yes, several times.
MS. MAYES: And what did he tell you was the reason that he was -- of course he had an undergraduate degree. What is the reason he explained as -- that he wanted to go to medical school in the Caribbean as opposed to someone in the US?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: He said it was a lot less money. Lot less expensive.
MS. MAYES: Okay. So it was for financial reasons?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: And Mr. Young was asking you about him being forgetful about certain things.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Uh-huh, (Indicated in the affirmative.)
MS. MAYES: Had he fallen behind in his payment --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yeah.
MS. MAYES: -- to you?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes, he did.
MS. MAYES: Even in those situations were you all able to follow-up with one another and make arrangements?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: We were. I was under the impression he was a very -- you know, a struggling single father with five kids. So I worked with him any way I could.
MS. MAYES: Okay. At that point in time you knew he worked at Intel, but did you know he was making $80,000 a year?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: No. I knew Intel had something to do with computers, but I had no idea what his status was with them.
MS. MAYES: And I think Mr. Young was asking you -- asking you about some of the communications you had with him concerning Eli. I'm going to show you these documents and ask you if you recognize them. State's 31 and State's 32.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: Is that a fair and accurate representation of communications you had with Mr. Jones?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes, it is.
MS. MAYES: About the children?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: And about him being behind on payments?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: 31 and 32 for evidence, Your Honor.
THE COURT: Any objection.
MR. YOUNG: No objection.
THE COURT: Admitted without objection.
(Whereupon, State's Exhibit numbers 31 and 32 were admitted into evidence.)
MS. MAYES: All right. So here he has sent you a message on August 25th. And, of course, that's three days before the children disappeared.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Uh-huh.
MS. MAYES: What was the content of that text message?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: He said, "Left you $140 with Merah. I'll bite the bullet and give you money on Mondays."
MS. MAYES: All right. And who is Merah that he's referring to?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Merah is my oldest daughter.
MS. MAYES: Okay. So he's talking about he gave her $140 for your payment --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Right.
MS. MAYES: -- and now he's going to plan to pay you every Monday?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: All right. And then what about this message that he sent to you on August 22nd, six days before the children disappeared?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: He said, "Going to have to grab a pair for Gab."
MS. MAYES: What were you all talking about?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Swimsuits so the kids could swim in the pool.
MS. MAYES: The pool in your yard?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes, the pool in my yard.
MS. MAYES: Mr. Young was asking you about their mother and about the consequences of the divorce.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Uh-huh.
MS. MAYES: Did the children ever speak about their mother in your presence? And I'm not asking you what they said, but did they ever speak about her in your presence?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes. Seems like they might have mentioned her here and there.
MS. MAYES: All right. When the Defendant was around would they speak about their mom?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: There was one time that Tim was saying, "Tell -- tell Christina what your mom said," to Merah. And Merah said that she -- I don't remember exactly, but something to the -- something like she didn't want us anymore, or she didn't want to be bothered with us. Didn't want us to live with her. Something like that. I remember that.
MS. MAYES: And he said that to the children with you present?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes.
MS. MAYES: And he was speaking --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: He was talking to Merah.
MS. MAYES: Now, you got some questions about DSS coming to your house. Did you know they were coming?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I had no idea that they were coming. I was in shock.
MS. MAYES: I'm going to show you --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I didn't know what was going on. Yeah.
MS. MAYES: And they wanted to photograph the children?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Right.
MS. MAYES: You mentioned that they did look at all of the children except for one?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Nahtahn.
MS. MAYES: Were you present during that entire DSS visit?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I was.
MS. MAYES: Did DSS ever look at Nahtahn's body?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: They did not. They did not. They did not make him show any -- pull his clothes down or anything like they did the others.
MS. MAYES: And you got a question about you had referenced Mr. Jones as weird. Tell us what you meant by that in layperson's terms.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Socially awkward. Different from me being a very outgoing, friendly person. He was just not like that. He was to himself and to his work, I guess. I don't know.
MS. MAYES: And with that stated did you ever have any reason to believe that he was not of sound mind?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: No, never.
MS. MAYES: Thank you. That's all I have.
RECROSS-EXAMINATION By Mr. Young:
MR. YOUNG: When you were talking to Ms. Mayes, it was Tim who said to Merah, "Tell Christina what your mom said"?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Correct.
MR. YOUNG: And it was Merah's response to you that mom said she didn't want us anymore?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: I don't --
MR. YOUNG: Something along --
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Yes. Yes. I don't know exactly, but something along those lines. She didn't want us anymore or she didn't want us to live with her anymore. Something like that.
MR. YOUNG: And Merah was telling you that's what her mom had told her?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Right.
MR. YOUNG: Is that right?
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Right.
MR. YOUNG: Thank you.
THE COURT: All right. You may step down. All right. You all can go to lunch. Enjoy your lunch in the jury room. After you finish if you want to step outside, get some fresh air, make a phone call. We'll help you all get downstairs and do whatever you need. So anyway, enjoy your lunch. Don't talk about the case. Have you back in here probably shortly after 2:00, no later than 2:15. I've got something else to put on the record, too.
(Whereupon, the jury was excused for a lunch break.)
THE COURT: All right. Before we go to lunch, Mr. Young, you said you had one issue, matter. I am not exactly sure what it was, but go ahead.
MR. YOUNG: Your Honor, and I may have, I may have messed this up. Because of the fact that there were two different sets of phone records as far as was, were these records from the physical extraction versus from the first logical extraction. We had maintained, you know, regarding our objection to the physical extraction and I didn't want to inadvertently have waived that objection by agreeing to records that were entered into. We knew that there were multiple sources for those records and I think Ms. Mayes had pictures of the actual text and then the summary records. But I think the summary records were from the physical extraction and didn't want to have waived any objection on those.
THE COURT: You have not waived any objection. I ruled on that. So your objection is preserved. And some of the records, it seems to me as I was reading along, gave the source, whether it was physical or not, is what I was able to read along. And I've not had it in my hand, but on the overhead that's what I noted.
MR. YOUNG: Your Honor is more well trained in that than I am.
THE COURT: So you're protected on the record for all those regarding both suppression motions we did yesterday.
MR. YOUNG: Thank you, Your Honor.
THE COURT: Very good. All right. We'll be back shortly after 2:00. I'd like to get the jury back in here by 2:15, so I want to be mindful of that.
(Whereupon, a lunch break was taken.)
MR. YOUNG: Your Honor, with the subsequent statement, so Mr. Jones, at the risk of beating a dead horse we are, we are relying on our previous objections, motions, arguments and briefing that the Court has ruled on and protected us on and made final rulings on those and everything will be subject to our previous objections.
THE COURT: And that was in that four, four and a half days hearings we had on all the Jackson/Denno issues and the constitutionality road block?
MR. YOUNG: Yes, sir.
THE COURT: Y'all are so protected. Bring me the jury.
(Whereupon, the jury came into open court at approximately 2:15 p.m.)
THE COURT: Are we ready to continue on? Mr. Graham?
MR. GRAHAM: Thank you, Your Honor. The State calls Jesse Laintz to the stand.
JESSE LAINTZ, having first been duly sworn, testified as follows:
COURT CLERK: Once your seated, state your full name spelling your last.
CHRISTINA EHLKE: Jesse Laintz, L-a-i-n-t-z.