A judge has sealed documents in the Tim Jones’ murder trial.
No one wants to say what is hidden or why.
Taxpayers will be charged at least $591,038 for the convicted child killer’s trial as of reports from early August.
The defense has spent more than $500,000 and counting, mostly for “expert” witnesses in the mental health field that charge up to $500 an hour.
The Chronicle has asked officials for details of these payments.
Circuit Court Judge Eugene Griffith Jr. placed an ex parte “gag” order on detailing the payments and other documents in the case, said Hervery B.O. Young, Deputy Director and General Counsel of the SC Commission of Indigent Defense, a state taxpayer-supported office.
Young said the orders are typical in capital cases until the appeals process is finished.
Circuit Judge Thomas Russo ordered court documents sealed in the case in late 2014. Many of the documents can be viewed at the Lexington County courthouse now, said Clerk of Court Lisa Comer. But many remain sealed by Judge Griffith.
The Chronicle asked Griffith several weeks ago why the gag order was placed and what documents were affected. He has not replied.
11th Circuit Solicitor Rick Hubbard did not reply to Chronicle emails asking:
• Why documents were sealed.
• If taxpayers shouldn’t know where their money went.
Jones’ appeals costs are unknown as they may continue up to 10 years.
Tim Jones Jr. awaits execution on Death Row for killing his 5 children in their Red Bank home in 2014.
A Lexington County jury found Jones guilty and sentenced him to death for killing his 5 children — Merah, 8; Elias, 7; Nahtahn, 6; Gabriel, 2 and Elaine Abigail, 1 — Aug. 28, 2014.
He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
Witnesses said Jones physically and mentally abused his children, fed them poorly and kept them filthy.
The Lexington County Sheriff’s Office said it cost $8,713.44 to house Jones for 144 days at the jail.
11th Circuit Solicitor Rick Hubbard said his office spent $34,725.49 on the trial.
Lexington County 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 solicitor’s and clerk of court’s bills will be paid by Lexington County taxpayers.
Department of Corrections’ daily cost per inmate is $64.96, spokesperson Chrysti Shain said. At that rate, Jones’ upkeep for 10 years, the average Death Row stay, will be another $237,104.