When a Father's Fear Turns Fatal: The Timea Batts Story
In the tragic tale of Timea Batts, an innocent eleven-year-old girl mistakenly shot by her own father, we unravel the layers of events that led to that fateful day in Hendersonville, 2016. Join host Samantha Paul as she navigates through the heartrending details of the case, examining Timothy Batts' history, the community's reaction, courtroom drama, and the shocking revelations during the trial.
This episode of "No Tears For Black Girls" delves into the emotional turmoil, exploring themes of parental grief, gun violence, and the complexities of living with a criminal past. We take you through the evidence, witness testimonies, and the passionate defense and prosecution narratives that shaped the course of the trial. Hear how the community honored Timea, the legal battles that ensued, and the profound impact on all involved.
Listen to the full episode to understand the broader implications of this tragic event.
00:00 Prosecution presents damning evidence; defense refutes.
03:43 Batts' contradictory statements and forensic evidence explained.
06:52 Podcast by John Reedburg, hosted by Samantha Paul.
CREDITS:
Created, Written, & Produced by John Reedburg
Hosted & Narrated by Samantha Paul
Production Company: John Reedburg Media
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
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On a sweltering summer day of
2016, the town of Hendersonville
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was devastated by tragedy.
Timothy Batts, age 29, tearfully
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claimed that he had accidentally
shot and killed his own
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daughter, precious 11 year old
Tamaya, at her emotional
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funeral.
The father, who was facing
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charges of murder, gave a moving
speech and released doves in
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honor of his beloved child.
As the investigation unfolded,
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it became apparent that there
were more details to this story
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than a simple accident.
Details revealed that Bats had a
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history of criminal activity and
was not legally allowed to
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possess a firearm.
He initially told authorities
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that Tamaya had been shot by
someone else after getting off
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the school bus, but surveillance
footage painted a different
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picture.
In a heartbreaking turn of
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events, Bats confessed to firing
at his daughter, mistaking her
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for an intruder or attacker.
In his drowsy state, the
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community was left in shock from
the loss of such a bright young
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girl who was loved by all.
Tamaya's school communities were
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deeply affected by her passing,
and counselors were brought in
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to offer support to grieving
students and staff members.
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Principal Mike Hayes held
meetings and encouraged wearing
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pink in honor of Tamaya.
Neighbors remembered her as a
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joyful cheerleader and softball
player who always spread
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positive energy throughout the
neighborhood.
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They also spoke highly of the
Bats family and their other
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children.
As the trial continued, more
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evidence was presented,
including video footage showing
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Bats entering and leaving the
home on the day of the shooting.
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The images were difficult for
Bats to see as they depicted his
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beloved daughter's final moments
before her tragic death.
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The entire ordeal left the small
town shaken and questioning how
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something like this could
happen.
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Despite their shock, many still
remembered Bats as a devoted
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father and wondered if he was
trying to turn his life around
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before this devastating incident
occurred.
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One thing remained certain,
nothing would ever be quite the
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same in Hendersonville.
In a dramatic twist, prosecution
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presented damning evidence in
the form of photographs
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depicting a bullet casing
discovered in Batts bedroom,
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along with the bullet hole and
projectile itself.
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The defense vehemently argued
that the discovery of a large
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sum of cash during a search of
Batts home was simply an attempt
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by the state to portray him as a
criminal.
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However, the judge allowed it as
evidence due to its relevance
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and understanding Batts
psychological state at the time
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of the shooting.
During cross examination, the
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fervent defense attorneys probed
for any connections between the
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discovered money and criminal
activity, to which Detective
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Sims firmly replied no and
stated that the funds had been
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promptly returned to Bats's
fiance by authorities.
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The defense team also honed in
on video footage capturing
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Tamaya's slow entrance into the
home after returning from
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school, highlighting her bare
feet in the dining area and
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insinuating that she may have
been crawling or moving slowly
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throughout the house,
potentially startling Bats
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enough to discharge a shot.
Prosecutors quickly countered
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with arguments about Bats's
handling of the gun, which
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happened to belong to his cousin
James Brown.
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After the shooting, Bats hastily
passed the weapon to his cousin,
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who had left it at his house
earlier.
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During police questioning, Bats
revealed that he never would
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have willingly kept such a
firearm in his possession.
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On tape, he can be heard saying.
I couldn't have predicted
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something like this happening.
The prosecution used this
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evidence to portray Bats as
deceptive and untrustworthy in
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his interactions with law
enforcement.
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In contrast, the defense began
their statements by asserting
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that Bats only took possession
of the gun after seeing Tamaya
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being taken to the hospital on a
stretcher.
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To further strengthen their
argument, the defense argued
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that Bats was unaware of
Timaya's imminent death and was
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concerned about how it would
look for a convicted felon to
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possess a gun.
On the second day of the trial,
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the prosecution called Doctor
David Zimmerman, a respected
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forensic pathologist and medical
examiner, as a witness.
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He had performed an autopsy on
Timaya Bats the day after the
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shooting and determined that her
cause of death was a single
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gunshot wound to the abdomen.
The bullet had passed through
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multiple organs before exiting
her body.
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During his testimony, Zimmerman
emphasized that in such fatal
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cases, all of the injuries
sustained contribute to the
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ultimate cause of death due to
the extensive network of vessels
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and capillaries in those areas.
It was also revealed during the
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trial that Timothy Batts had
been a victim of a previous
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shooting several years ago.
The defense argued that this
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experience had made him more
cautious and afraid when he
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heard commotion in his home on
the day of the incident.
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They claimed that Batts did not
expect Tamaya to be present at
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the time and because she did not
respond to his calls, he
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believed it was an intruder.
To support their argument, the
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defense showed the jury bullet
wounds Bats had suffered in
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2011, six in his back and a
graze on his head.
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This was intended to demonstrate
that Bats had a valid reason to
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be cautious and fearful given
his past experience.
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While details about the 2011
shooting were not provided, the
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arrest affidavit for Bats's
assailant was obtained by Fox 17
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News.
According to official records,
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on January 13th, 2011, Bats was
driving with two friends when
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they left Where's Barbershop at
1008 Jefferson St.
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Suddenly, Cheyenne Turner
started shooting at them.
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Bats was hit multiple times
until one of his companions
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retrieved a gun from their car
and fought back against Turner.
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Turner attempted to flee in a
Chevy Tahoe, but eventually had
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to escape on foot.
The police later discovered that
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Turner was accompanied by the
driver of the Tahoe, Wesley
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Coleman.
As it turns out, Turner and Bats
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knew each other from sharing a
child with the same woman.
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This woman, Tamaya's mother, was
frequently mentioned during
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Bats's trial for shooting
Tamaya.
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According to legal documents,
both men had previous
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altercations with each other.
In the end, Turner and Coleman
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were found guilty of attempted
second degree murder in
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connection to Bats previous
shooting.
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Thank you for tuning in to No
Tears for Black Girls.
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This series is skillfully
crafted by acclaimed writer and
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producer Jon Reedberg with the
guidance of unapologetic host
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Samantha Paul.
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