Yahoo Autos Defense expert: Michael Wayne Jones heard his dead wife's voice urging him to kill kids
An expert testifying for the defense at the Michael Wayne Jones penalty phase trial on Tuesday said Jones was hearing voices after he killed his wife, Casei. Specifically, Jones said his slain wife told him to kill the children so they could be with her.
A psychologist, Dr. Harold Bursztajn, told the court the voices that Michael Jones heard came a few days after his wife's death and they became "more intense" as time went on. Jones told law enforcement officials that he killed his wife by beating her with a metal baseball repeatedly.
Bursztajn said Jones was told by Casei that the four children, all younger than 12, would be safer with her. Jones said he had no choice but to obey the voices.
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The psychologist said Jones was "a tortured soul" who "expressed remorse" about the killings. Bursztajn said Jones was "tramutized" by what he did to Casei before killing the children.
Led by Executive Assistant Public Defender John Spivey, tasked with asking the questions, Bursztajn developed his analysis by examining questionnaires, conducting a video conference with Jones, reviewing various records and talking with people who knew the defendant.
Similar to other defense experts who strongly believe the Summerfield man has a litany of mental health issues, Bursztajn said Jones is "psychotic and lacks insight." He said medication given to Jones takes time before taking effect. He said it could take months and even years before Jones makes any progress.
Recovered remains
In November, Jones pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder for Cameron Bowers, 9; his brother, Preston Bowers, 4; and sisters Mercalli Jones, 2; and 11-month-old Aiyana Jones. At the same hearing, he pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder in the death of Casei. The girls belong to the couple, and the boys are from his wife's previous marriage.
Now that he has pleaded guilty, the lawyers are focusing on the penalty phase. In the penalty phase, lawyers for the state establish a framework for aggravating factors that support capital punishment. The defense is countering with mitigating factors that support life in prison.
The jury will make a sentencing recommendation.
The 41-year-old Jones was detained in Georgia after he was involved in a single-vehicle crash in that state in September 2019. He told law enforcement officials that his wife's remains were in the vehicle. The victim's remains were in a tote, authorities. Jones was interviewed by law enforcement officials. He took them to where he left the children's remains, officials said. Located in a wooded area, officials said the remains were in a suitcase and sealed totes. He said he killed each child at different days and times by strangling or drowning them.
Authorities believe the murders occurred between July 10 and the end of August 2019.
