LEXINGTON, S.C. (AP) — Lawyers for the man accused of killing his five children say that he has been treated for mental health issues in the past, and he has waived his first court appearance in South Carolina.

Attorney Aimee Zmroczek wouldn’t elaborate on the mental health problems of 32-year-old Timothy Ray Jones Jr. She says lawyers want him evaluated as soon as possible.

In court documents, Jones says appearing in court Friday would have undermined his ability to receive a fair trial and potentially tainted the jury pool.

Zmroczek says Jones is being portrayed as a monster but that he is just a scared man trying to deal with the situation.

Jones is accused of killing his five children, then driving around for days with their decomposing bodies before dumping them in rural Alabama.

Zmroczek says Jones has been held in isolation under suicide watch. Lexington County authorities expect to transfer Jones to a state prison as soon as Friday for his safety.

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