Judge Issues Gag Order in Case of 5 Slain SC Kids

LEXINGTON, S.C. (AP) – A judge has issued a gag order in the case of a South Carolina father who authorities said killed his five children.

Local media outlets report Wednesday that Circuit Judge Thomas Russo approved the step in the case of Timothy Ray Jones Jr.

Jones’ attorneys wanted pretrial statements by prosecutors, law enforcement officials and potential witnesses kept from the public. Russo’s order also means the children’s autopsy reports, 911 calls and Jones’ own medical information will not be released.

Deputies think Jones took his children to their Lexington home and killed them after picking them up from school Aug. 28. Authorities say he later dumped the bodies on a remote hillside near Camden, Alabama.

Jones is charged with five counts of murder and is next scheduled in court Nov. 13.