Judges and other court officials may think only nosy journalists want to see the Tim Jones trial gag order lifted.

We can appreciate a judge sealing documents in the trial of a drug addicted Red Bank father who murdered his 5 children.

Releasing some of the more lurid investigative details in the case could have made even the appearance of a fair trial in Lexington County impossible.

But now the trial is over. The evidence for the defense and prosecution has been aired in open court and on live video.

Yet no one in the court system seems to want to say what documents or evidence is being kept from the public and why.

As we reported, you and other taxpayers will be charged at least $591,038 for the convicted child killer’s trial.

The defense has spent more than $500,000 – and maybe more – of your money.

Most of it went to “expert” mental health witnesses who charge up to $500 an hour.

The Chronicle has asked for details of these payments.

Judge Eugene Griffith, Jr. placed a gag order on witness payments and other documents.

If these documents are withheld until all appeals are finished, the taxpayers will not know bow for much they are paying for Jones up to 10 years, the average Death Row stay.

The Chronicle asked the judge weeks ago why the gag order was placed and what documents are hidden. He has not replied.

We have discovered this:

• It cost $8,713.44 to house Jones for 144 days at the Lexington County Detention Center.

• 11th Circuit Solicitor Rick Hubbard said his office spent $34,725.49 on the trial.

• Clerk of Court Lisa Comer told us her office spent $38,599.62 including $15,881.44 for jury pay, $8,409.77 for rental vans, $8,683.37 for meals and snacks, $325 for postage, $556.54 for office supplies and $4,743.50 for 155,550 paperwork copies.

• The state’s daily cost per inmate is $64.96. At that rate, Jones’ upkeep for 10 years will be another $237,104.

The costs of defending a child murderer are being hidden from the taxpayers.