Timeline: Morehead murder case faces myriad delays for more than 15 years
A Morehead murder case involving a 2-year-old boy has been pending for more than 15 years.
Just a year after Nathaniel Jones was killed, his mother, Tiea Jones, was charged with child abuse, and her boyfriend, Brian Gallagher, was charged with murder.
Jones accepted a plea deal in 2016. But Gallagher’s case has stalled.
There are several causes of the seemingly endless delays in Gallagher’s case: recusals, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a federal prison sentence for a former prosecutor.
The result has been frustrating for the families of both Gallagher and Nathaniel, as they wonder if justice will ever be served for the boy.
Here is a timeline of the case over the past 15 years:
- March 30, 2009 - Nathaniel Jones dies of blunt force trauma.
- May 21, 2010 - Tiea Jones is indicted for child abuse, and Brian Gallagher is indicted for murder.
May 25, 2010 - Gallagher is released from jail on bond.
- Oct. 3, 2012 - Gallagher’s trial is scheduled, eventually delayed.
- Aug. 5, 2013 - Gallagher’s trial is scheduled, eventually delayed.
- Oct. 1, 2014 - Gallagher’s trial is scheduled, eventually delayed.
- June 1, 2015 - Gallagher’s trial is scheduled, eventually delayed.
- Oct. 5, 2015 - Gallagher’s trial is scheduled, eventually delayed.
- Aug. 16, 2016 - Gallagher’s trial is scheduled, eventually delayed.
- April 11, 2016 - Gallagher’s trial is scheduled, eventually delayed.
- Aug. 15, 2016 - Gallagher’s trial is scheduled, eventually delayed.
- Aug. 19, 2016 - Tiea Jones accepts an Alford Plea for a charge of second-degree criminal abuse.
- Feb. 16, 2017 - Gallagher’s trial is scheduled, eventually delayed.
- Oct. 9, 2017 - Gallagher’s trial is scheduled, eventually delayed.
- Oct. 15, 2019 - Gallagher requests Judge William Lane recuse himself from the case.
- Aug. 20, 2019 - Special Prosecutor Brandon Ison is appointed to the case.
- March 20, 2020 - COVID-19 pandemic shuts down courts.
- Sept. 16, 2022 - Former prosecutor Ronnie Goldy is suspended amid FBI investigation.
- Dec. 30, 2022 - Gallagher requests another judge, David Barber, recuse himself from the case.
- Feb 2, 2024 - Goldy is found guilty of bribery and fraud by a federal jury.
- June 11, 2024 - Gallagher is ordered to take part in felony mediation.
- Nov. 27, 2024 - The defense requests the recusal of Judge Elizabeth Davis.
- June 10, 2025 - Special Judge Brian McCloud is appointed.
This story was originally published June 25, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
