PLATTSBURGH — Timothy Timmons, who is facing charges of second-degree murder and second-degree conspiracy for the death of Jahfari Joseph late last year, pleaded not guilty to both Wednesday.
Timmons, 61, was first arrested and charged in early January following an investigation into the disappearance of Joseph, 40, of Plattsburgh.
Joseph had been missing since Dec. 29, 2024 and believed at the time to be dead but his body was not found until Feb. 13, during a search along Route 26 in the Town of Franklin in the eastern part of Franklin County.
Clinton County District Attorney Andrew Wylie previously said they were able to tie Timmons to the crime through “information confirming Timothy Timmons is responsible.”
Wylie said that information included interviews, statements they received and audio and video from a cell phone that made them believe he (Joseph) was shot and killed at a Fuller Road residence in Peru.
Earlier this week, Timmons’ ex-wife Kelly Timmons was also indicted on charges of second-degree murder for acting in concert with Tim Timmons and causing the death of Joseph, and second-degree conspiracy for providing her ex-husband with the firearm used for the purpose of killing Joseph.
NICHOLS ARRESTED
On Wednesday, a third person, Chad Nichols of Vermontville was also arrested and charged with first-degree hindering prosecution and tampering with physical evidence this week.
Timmons was in Clinton County Court Wednesday afternoon before Judge Keith Bruno. He was represented by Brian Barrett of Lake Placid.
Timmons has been remanded in Clinton County Jail since his original arrest. Wylie asked Wednesday that Timmons continue to be remanded due to the severity of the charges he is facing.
“There are multiple people that are involved in this case, multiple witnesses. I’m extremely concerned about those individual’s safety and wellness should the defendant be released,” Wylie said.
“I understand that’s not a concern of bail being set, it’s just a matter of whether Mr. Timmons would appear in court. Due to the nature of these charges, due to the qualifying offense, I strongly believe that remand without bail is appropriate. Mr. Timmons has every reason to not appear in court should he be released on these charges.”
Despite Wylie’s opposition, Bruno gave Timmons the chance to make bail. He set his bail at $100,000 cash, $250,000 fully secured bond and $500,000 partially secured bond at 10%.
Wylie told the media after the court appearance that he is concerned if Timmons does actually make bail and is released until his next court appearance.
“I feel that a person that takes another person’s life intentionally does that, should be remanded without bail pending their case disposition,” he said.
“… I’m concerned about the basis of why Jahfari Joseph was murdered … I think motive is not an element of murder in the second degree for these cases, but we are continuing to develop, potentially, what the motive may have been, and with people cooperating to eventually convict Tim Timmons, convict Kelly Timmons, I’d be concerned for those individuals’ safety and welfare.”
WYLIE PRESPECTIVE
Wylie speculated that Timmons being a lifelong resident of Clinton County was a reason for Bruno setting bail.
“There is property that he owns. He has been a lifelong resident of Clinton County for the most part. He has family ties here in the county,” he said.
“Those family ties are exceptional people, to my knowledge, and those that I know. Those are things that I think Judge Bruno took into consideration.”
Wylie also noted the risk is there for him to potentially disappear if he is out of jail.
“He’s facing 25 years to life in prison, and at 61 years old, I do not know what his health conditions are,” he said.
“I’m not aware that he has any ill health conditions, but certainly, I think that’s an issue that has to be taken into consideration. Would you stay if you’re going to get convicted of potentially 25 years to life?”
With the third arrest in the case having been made, Wylie said more could still be coming.
“There may be one or two other individuals who are eventually charged with tampering with physical evidence — charges of that nature (and) felony level offenses — but those are individuals that have cooperated with the New York State Police and with my office during this investigation,” he said.
“So they’re going to be given consideration for that, because certainly their cooperation is a means to an end (in) identifying who killed Jafari Joseph and where Jafari Joseph’s body was located. So that’s part of being a prosecutor. It’s part of our job. Sometimes we have to make deals, give levels of cooperation to individuals who assist us in getting to the end goal, which is what some of these people have done.”
Timmons is due back in court in April.