KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Clay County Prosecuting Attorney's office wants to preserve the testimony of the young woman who escaped accused killer Timothy Haslett Jr.'s home in October 2022.
A motion filed on Aug. 29 asks Judge David Chamberlain to allow a recorded deposition of the woman, who is an alleged living victim of Haslett .
She is only known publicly by the last name Jones.
Robert Sanders, an assistant Clay County prosecutor, explained in a motion to the court they need her testimony on video because Jones is currently homeless and living in a "crime-ridden part of the metro."
She also has substance abuse issues.
The motion states Haslett "should not gain an advantage from targeting a person living on the margins of society."
TIMELINE | Case of accused Excelsior Springs murderer, rapist, kidnapper Timothy Haslett Jr.
Sanders' motion states Jones is a "necessary and essential witness for the State," and her "testimony establishes elements of the felonies that cannot be proven in any other manner."
Sanders also argues Jones can identify Haslett as the defendant and was a witness to "incriminating statements the defendant made."
Jones previously provided statements about what happened to her while she was held captive in a handmade dungeon in Haslett's house in Excelsior Springs.
Jones said Haslett picked her up along Prospect Avenue in Kansas City, Mo., and paid her $350 to come to his house.
He allegedly raped, tortured, and assaulted her for a month.
She said Haslett told her he kidnapped and killed two other women before her.
"It breaks my heart," said Michelle Newton, outreach coordinator for Relentless Pursuit Outreach & Recovery. "It does break my heart because the times I have met her, I let her know we are here for her."
Newton said police brought Jones to Relentless Pursuit after she escaped from Haslett's house.
She was able to take a shower and get a change of clothes.
The drop-in center helps women who are homeless and who deal with addiction and work as prostitutes.
Newton said she hasn't seen Jones in a while, but hopes she knows help is waiting.
"I would love to see her flourish because she's a very bright, smart young lady," Newton told KSHB 41. "Just as sweet as can be. The fact that someone took advantage of her just hurts my heart. Her being sweet might have been her saving grace."
It's not surprising to Newton that Jones is back on the street after surviving something as horrific as Jones described.
"When you go through traumatic events like that, you don't want to think about it," Newton said. "You want to numb yourself. She probably doesn't want to think about that, bless her heart."
Newton says justice for women like Jones is rare.
"It is her chance, and I'm just hoping that someone will let her know she needs to come to RPOR or get in touch with you or someone so she can get her story out there and her testimony so we put this guy away forever," Newton said.
The prosecutor's motion states conducting Jones' deposition in the presence of Haslett and his attorney will afford Haslett "his constitutional right of personal confrontation with the witness against him, and his [constitutional] right of cross-examination."
The state and the defense would be able to use the recorded video at trial.
If the motion is granted, the recorded deposition would take place in a courtroom at the Clay County Courthouse in Liberty.
The deposition would be taken when court is not in session or in another vacant courtroom.
Haslett is charged with first-degree murder, rape, four counts of sodomy, two counts of assault, kidnapping, and endangering the welfare of a child.
The murder charge is in connection to Jaynie Crosdale's death, whose body was found in a blue barrel in June 2023 in the Missouri River.
Crosdale, like Jones, had an unstable life on the street, but Newton knew her and said she was bright and witty.
The I-Team reached out to Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson's office for an interview.
He declined and instead sent us this statement:
"In order to protect the rights of all parties and the integrity of the process, our office is unable to discuss the case. We remain focused on achieving justice inside the courtroom."
Haslett is scheduled to be in court on Sept. 17 at 1:30 p.m.
A trial date has not been set.
RPOR has had more than 3,356 visits to the drop-in center in 2024. Dozens of women come in for a meal, a shower, clean clothes and lifestyle counseling every week.
Newton said RPOR always needs donations , including gently-used women's clothing, undergarments, and hygiene products.
—
