Opening arguments were heard today by the jury in day 3 of Mark Jensen’s retrial. Jensen is accused of the poisoning death of his wife, Julie Jensen.
Kenosha County’s Deputy District Attorney, Carli McNeill gave the opening statement for the prosecution. She told the jury that the evidence would show that Jensen had been planning to kill his wife because of an affair she had. She also said he had began an affair and the new woman was his motive.
Defense attorney Mackenzie Renner told the jury the evidence would show the Mark and Julie Jensen had problems, just like any other married couple, but that Julie was depressed and suicidal and took her own life.
The court heard from five women, one of which testified “from the grave.”
A neighbor who lived behind the Jensens, Ruth Vorwald told the jury that Mark’s conversation with her shortly after Julie’s death seemed scripted. She also told the jury that Mark seemed too happy at Julie’s wake.
Sharon Krause, the sister of Ruth Vorwald, who was the Jensens’ back-yard neighbor gave very brief testimony about hearing Mark talk soon after Julie’s death, mimicking her sister by saying his words sounded scripted.
A teacher of one of the Jensens’ sons took the stand to tell the jury that Julie had little experience using a computer. This testimony went on for a long time, with no obvious purpose.
One question from McNeill to DeFazio was objected to by Attorney Krause. McNeill wanted to introduce transcripts into evidence even though DeFazio said the transcripts wouldn’t refresh her memory. The Judge sustained the objection, which ticked off Special Prosecutor Bob Jambois, known for having a short fuse. He yelled at the judge for several seconds. “The jury probably hear that!” snapped Judge Milisauskas. A criminal defense attorney that didn’t wish for his or her name to be shared told KCE the judge got it right. “The transcripts can only be used for impeachment purposes if she said they wouldn’t jog her memory.”
The neighbor across the street, Carrie Ashley, told the jury that Mark got rid of some of Julie’s things in the garbage in the days after Julie’s death.
Julie Jensen’s neighbor and close friend, Margaret Wojt passed away since the first trial. Since she is an “unavailable witness” under state statute so her previously-recorded testimony could be played, because at the first trial, she was able to be cross-examined by Mark’s former attorneys. She testified about Julie told her she though Mark was going to kill her. This is the neighbor who received Julie’s letter that was the basis of Mark’s successful appeal. The jury won’t hear about the letter in this trial.
The court house looked beautiful as I left the courthouse – day three was adjourned. I’ll be back in court tomorrow.
11 Responses
Surprise boozer Bob blew up in court, it’s not his temper, it’s his vindictive nature. He’s a child. The school teacher testimony was a joke, too. Is this what criminal courts are? “I asked David where his mother was and he said oh yeah, she gave me a note. Did David seem upset? Oh yes he seemed real upset his mother was sick.” So upset he forgot to give teacher the note from his deathly ill mother. Bob Jambois is upset his first and second trial were overturned. He’s a child who can’t take NO for an answer, and it showed in court yesterday.
OF COURSE, ROBERT BLEW HIS FUSE THATS WHAT THE DA DOES WHEN HE DONT GET HIS WAY, THIS IS A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY, ALL THIS IS BASED ON SHE SAID HE SAID …. ARE COURT SYSTEM IS A JOKE, HOPEFULLY THE HONEST GOOD JUDGES CAN KEEP IT REAL AND FAIR AND LEGAL, THESE DA ARE FULL OF LIES AND THEY ONLY WANT TO WIN FOR PERSONAL GAIN, NOT THE TRUTH NOT THE LAW, NOT ANY REASON BUT TO PUFF THEIR CHEST WITH A WIN …… KATHERN ZELLNER SHOULD GET INVOLVED WITH THIS CASE ALSO, SHOW HOW WISCONSIN DA OFFICES WORK ….
Yep! I believe you are correct! It’s all about the WIN, not the truth.
Thankfully, we have KCE that will help keep the truth exposed on this site and keep all of us informed with what’s happening!
Reminder:
Milisauskas ran for judge againt Jambois and beat him.
Jambois, in his arrogance, assumed it would be an easy victory, but he underestimated the fact that he acted like an arrogant jerk to everyone and that people didn’t call him out because of his position as a DA.
Jambois went to Parkside and is neither a gentleman nor a scholar.
Nobody in Kenosha likes you Bob, so f back off to the bumble f county where you are still soaking the taxpayers for your cutrate legal mind.
Oh yea, nobody likes your snooty swinger wife either.
Thank goodness pretty much everybody on the jury has probably heard about the letter that supposedly can’t be mentioned by now. That letter never should have been suppressed, it should have been carefully explained. It exists and in no way can that be denied, nor can it be ignored. Using a b******* excuse like it not being able to be cross-examined is ridiculous. You don’t have to cross-examine a note to read it and let both the prosecution and defense take as long as they need to to explain the context of the letter and remind the jury it is to be considered for what it is, unknown. No different than finding a candy bar wrapper or a rock sitting on the floor, you don’t say that neither exists, you say that look what we found in such and such a location, make of that what you will. Hope Jensen Burns in hell
Kevin, is Jensen out on bail or still in custody?
$1.2M
Mark’s a murderer.
Kevin, did he post that $1.2m? Or is he currently still in custody?
He has been behind bars since 2007. Holding in custody on $1.2M
Gotcha, thank you for clarifying.