We remember the fallen

By Mark Bellune

Tim Jones Jr.’s use of synthetic cannabinoids exacerbated his mental illness and irrational behavior.

That’s how defense witness Dr. Jonathan Lipman described Jones’ use of “Spice,” or synthetic marijuana, that affected his judgment the night he killed his 5 children.

Jones is facing the death penalty if found guilty of murdering them in their Red Bank home Aug. 28, 2014.

He has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

“It’s gasoline on the fire,” Lipman testified in a pre-recorded video.

Lipman was qualified by the defense as an expert of neuro-pharmacology.

Lipman said Jones’ use of marijuana as a preteen would increase his chances of developing psychosis.

Last week, a psychiatrist said Jones has schizophrenia and suffers from brain damage.

If the Lexington County jury believes Jones has schizophrenia, they could find him insane to avoid a death sentence.

Last week, 2 guards from Kirkland Correctional Institute said Jones appeared frightened when he was processed into the super maximum security unit.

Guard Lt. Travis Pressley testified last week that Jones told him his 8-year-old daughter Merah walked in on him as he was strangling 6-year-old Nahtahn.

This testimony contradicts Jones’ claim that Nahtahn died by accident and that he strangled his other 4 children to cover up the death.

Jones told him he “choked her ‘til she turned purple,” Pressley testified.

“He said that when he saw the daughter, she was shocked — and I guess, I don’t know, she tried to run away or what — he grabbed her and choked her so hard ...” Pressley testified.

Prosecutors rested their case in the father’s death penalty trial last Wednesday.

Testimony continues this week at the Marc H. Westbrook Judicial Center in downtown Lexington.

Wednesday’s most graphic and controversial testimony came late Wednesday when the defense called lead investigator Adam Creech of the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.

The defense wanted to rehash Jones’ confession to killing his children and dumping their bodies in black plastic trash bags in rural Alabama.

Jones’ grandmother testified Friday that his mother neglected him as an infant.

His grandmother Roberta Thornsberry cared for him due to negligence, she said.

More details, Page A3.