Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes ofwebsite accessibility

Judge removes local paper dispenser outside courthouse


Judge Eugene Griffith ruled to remove this Lexington Chronicle paper dispenser until after the Timothy Jones trial ends.{ }
Judge Eugene Griffith ruled to remove this Lexington Chronicle paper dispenser until after the Timothy Jones trial ends.
Facebook Share IconTwitter Share IconEmail Share Icon

For the second time, the Lexington Chronicle was brought up in the courtroom during jury selection for the Timothy Jones trial. On Wednesday, the paper's headline read "Mass Murder Trial May Start Monday."

Defense attorneys for Jones requested a change in venue because they said potential jurors could possibly see the headline as they walked into the courthouse for jury duty. Judge Eugene Griffith Jr denied the request but ruled to have the dispenser removed from outside the courthouse.


Before the ruling, defense attorney Boyd Young told the judge he turned the dispenser around so the headline could not be seen.


Griffith told the court he did not want it to be an issue during the trial. According to Griffith, the dispenser will be put back when the trial wraps up. This is the only Chronicle dispenser to be removed in the county while the trial is going on. Other dispensers near the courthouse will still stand.

WACH FOX News spoke with the paper and representatives said they removed the box quickly after they learned about the issue.

The court is inching closer to the pool of around 50 potential jurors. More than 100 Lexington County Residents have been questioned during the process and 44 have now qualified for that pool (eight on Wednesday). The pool will then be narrowed down to the 12 jurors and several alternates.


The judge has told the court and potential jurors that he wants the trial to start next week. Jones is accused of killing his five children in 2014 and dumping their bodies in rural Alabama. He is pleading not guilty by reason of insanity while the state is seeking the death penalty.

WACH FOX News is the only local news outlet doing a podcast during the trial. You can subscribe to the Timothy Jones Trial podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify or listen here on wach.com.

Jury selection continues Thursday morning at 9 am the Lexington County Courthouse. Only two panels will be questioned on Thursday according to the judge.


Loading ...