JACKSBORO, TN. (WLAF)- Thursday was the second day in Heather and Brian Allen's murder trial. The Allens are accused of killing their son, Tanner Ausmus. The couple is charged with first degree murder.
TOP PHOTO: Andi Bridges, assistant district attorney, questions Dr. Jeffrey Cloyd, medical director for UT Lifestar.
Here is a timeline of Susan Sharp's updates through the day along with photos from WLAF's Charlie Hutson.
4:30PM-The jury is listening to the police interviews of Heather and Brian Allen. Adult Protective Services worker Vicky McCaulley (below) testified the family was cooperative with her in interviews. She was left with the impression the Allens were “kind and loving parents.” As she investigated following Ausmus’ death, McCaulley started to see “days and days not accounted for” when Ausmus was ill. She began to cry at this point. After consultation with a forensic nurse, McCaulley said she realized “We have a homicide.”
2:30PM- Dr. Ernesto Gonzalez has been on the stand since 1pm. He was Ausmus’ pediatric Epilepsy specialist when the family lived in California.
Ausmus suffered from Lennox Gastaut Syndrome. This particular type of seizure disorder is among the worst anyone can have, Gonzalez said. He saw no red flags with the family in the three years he treated Ausmus, he said.
12:30PM- The court has recessed for lunch. This morning’s testimony has centered on Ausmus’ condition once he arrived at UT Medical Center. Dr. Jeffrey Cloyd, medical director for UT Lifestar, testified the 19- year-old had suffered cardiac arrest while in the med chopper. This resulted in his brain going without oxygen for several minutes. The doctor said a scan run after Ausmus was brought into the emergency room confirmed he had suffered a lack of oxygen to his brain. "There had been cell death in the brain and brain cells do not regenerate," Cloyd said. In the doctor’s estimation, the brain injury had occurred within the last few hours of the scan.
Jennifer Sexton is a nurse practitioner who treated Ausmus once he was moved to the ICU also testified.
Calling this a “tragic case” Sexton said there was not a lot she could do for him by the time he became her patient. She described him as “unkept”with dirty hair and missing teeth.
Up on telling the Allens, their son had suffered a brain injury that was not survivable. They appeared with a “flat affect,” Sexton said.
Assistant District Attorney General Chelsea Hatcher asked Sexton if any tests were conducted to measure brain activity. The nurse practitioner said yes. In her opinion, the type of brain injury Ausmus suffered would have had to happened 24 to 48 hours prior to the scan for it to show up.
When she was cross-examined by defense attorney, T. Scott Jones asked if she would be surprised that Cloyd had testified the brain injury had happened in the last two to three hours, meaning it more than likely occurred in the med chopper when Ausmus had a heart attack in flight. Jones asked if a doctor outranked a nurse practitioner, and Sexton said yes. The adult protective services employee who investigated this case is expected to testify later today.
10:30AM- During Dr. Cloyd’s testimony prosecutors attempted to attack his credibility. Cloyd was a witness for the state. The doctor explained Ausmus’ condition as it was presented to him by Heather Allen. “Tanner’s story is abnormal but it’s not abnormal for Tanner,” Cloyd said. However, the doctor did say Ausmus lack of water was a concern.
10:15AM- Dr. Jeffery Cloyd (below) has been on the stand over an hour. Cloyd treated Ausmus the night he came into the ER at UT Hospital.
HERE is the story from day one of the trial with photos from WLAF's Charlie Hutson.
Ausmus died in 2023. The autopsy report said Ausmus had suffered from swelling of the brain, respiratory failure and dehydration. Along with these conditions, the 19-year-old’s muscles had started to break down, releasing toxins into his system. His kidneys and liver failed as well, according to the report. An eight man, six woman jury will hear more testimony as day two in the trial begins. WLAF will be providing live updates throughout the day as we give you gavel to gavel coverage. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-09/25/2026-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF WLAF'S CHARLIE HUTSON)
