The mother of five children who were allegedly killed by her ex-husband in 2014 reportedly broke down in tears in a South Carolina court Monday while reading a letter she wrote to her slain daughter.
From The State, Amber Kyzer became overcome with emotion while reading a letter she wrote to Merah, 8, regarding her parents’ ongoing divorce.
“Merah, my sweet, sweet daughter, I know that your heart feels heavy and you feel really sad. I want to reassure you, sweetheart, that you along with your brothers and sister mean everything to me. Mommy and Daddy were very blessed…,” she read before she started to sob.
“Oh God! I’m so sorry. So sorry! Why? Why? Why?…They’re my babies!”
The emotional outburst came as Kyzer testified against her ex-husband, Tim Jones, who’s on trial for allegedly killing Merah and their four other children, Elias, 7, Nahtahn, 6, Gabriel, 2, and Elaine, 1.
According to the news outlet, Jones is accused of beating Nahtahn to death—and strangling his other four children—after picking them up from school and day care. He allegedly dumped the bodies in a rural area in Alabama before being apprehended in Mississippi on September 6 for reportedly driving his blood-soaked car while high on synthetic marijuana.
Jones—who is facing the death penalty for the quintuple slaying—claimed he accidentally killed Nahtahn by forcing him to do an excessive number of pushups and squats but admitted to strangling his other four children. He has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
Amid their divorce, Kyzer testified that Jones was awarded primary physical custody of their five children because he was the sole financial provider. She also claimed her ex-husband had a lawyer while she didn’t.
Under the final divorce decree, Kyzer was reportedly allowed to see her children once a week at a restaurant and Jones had to be present.
“I thought I was making the best decision I could” she said. I was willing to do whatever I had to to see my children.”
Kyzer recalled calling Jones night of the murders and speaking with a crying Nahtahn who said, “Mommy I didn’t mean to.” She alleged that she overheard her son gasping for air while Jones said, “You could have killed yourself, son!”
According to The State, evidence shown in court indicated that Jones was angry at his son for blowing several electrical outlets. Kyzer said John cursed at her before abruptly hanging up.
The mother-of-five testified that she repeatedly called Jones but never heard from her children again.
“Tim I’m not calling to argue or anything but you’ve been angry or on edge and I’m just concerned for you. I’m not calling to argue or anything, I just wish that as a parent you’d allow me to correct my children,” a text she sent to Jones read, according to WLTX.
Jones reportedly answered Kyzer’s calls days later. He allegedly sounded intoxicated and made sure to make it appear that their five children were still alive. Despite this, Kyzer grew concerned and reported the kids missing, the news station reported.
Monday’s hearing also included testimony from the coroner who performed the five autopsies, a nurse at the school which three of the slain children attended, and a law enforcement agent specializing in DNA analysis.
Jones faces an automatic death sentence if convicted.
[Featured image: Tracy Glantz, The State via AP, Pool]
