Jensen Trial Day 7 - Lead Detective Testifies

Jensen Trial Day 7 – Lead Detective Testifies

Detective Lieutenant Paul Ratzburg (RET) of Pleasant Prairie Police Department
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Kelly LaBonte (Jensen) (Brooks)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Mark Jensen’s murder trial completed its 7th day today. Jensen is being tried again for the anti-freeze murder of his wife, Julie. Former lover of Mark Jensen, Kelly LaBonte (Jensen) (Brooks), remained on the stand from yesterday. The prosecution played for the jury a jail-house call in which Jensen talks about making money off of a “book deal.”

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Assistant Fire Chief, Pleasant Prairie Fire Department David Wilkinson
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Assistant Fire Chief David Wilkinson of the Pleasant Prairie Fire Department, was a paid-on-call firefighter and EMT in 1998. He said the call for the fire department came out at about 4:30 pm on December 3, 1998 and he arrived at the Jensen home only about 4 minutes later. He testified that when he arrived, Julie was beyond life-saving measures. He could not detect any heart activity and she was stiff.

Detective Lieutenant Paul Ratzburg (RET) of Pleasant Prairie Police Department
(Photo by Nathan DeBruin for Kenosha County Eye)

The lead detective in this case would take the stand next. Detective Lieutenant Paul Ratzburg (RET) of Pleasant Prairie Police Department, who had the rank of Detective Sergeant in 1998, testified at length Wednesday and will testify again tomorrow. He took a crime scene video of the residence, once with Julie’s body still in the bed, and once again after she was removed. He photographed the home and collected evidence. He removed the “p traps” under the sinks in the home and collected the water because he suspected a poisoning from the beginning. His hunch was so prevalent that he called then DA Jambois to the house. He got a chance to interview Jensen and that interview was played for the jury. Jensen denied harming his wife. Fortunately, the word penis was only used about a dozen times today.

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Defense attorneys Jeremy Perri and Bridget Krause Speak About The Case Wednesday
(Photo by Nathan DeBruin for Kenosha County Eye)

Video of Crime Scene Being Shown To Jury Wednesday
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Empty Jury Box
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Special Prosecutor Bob Jambois Holding Evidence
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Author

Kevin Mathewson

Kevin Mathewson is a disciple of Christ, husband and a father to two wonderful children. Mathewson was born and raised in Lake County, IL and worked as a police & fire dispatcher from 2005 to 2010 in Round Lake Beach, IL. Mathewson moved to Kenosha County in 2006, later being elected to the position of Alderman of the 8th District in 2012 and 2016. Mathewson is a private investigator, security contractor, journalist, and photographer. He enjoys spending time with his family, watching movies, camping and boating. His favorite amendment is the second, followed closely by the first. He loves his country and community.

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4 Responses

Anonymous says:

Jan 19, 2023 at 4:33 PM

Is Kelly still married to Jensen?

Reply
1. Anonymous says:
  
  Jan 19, 2023 at 6:55 PM
  
  No, she divorced him while he was in prison.
  
  Reply
2. PP Resident says:
  
  Jan 19, 2023 at 6:56 PM
  
  No, she divorced him while he was in prison.
  
  Reply
PP Resident says:

Jan 19, 2023 at 8:07 PM

Did anyone notice in the video Det. Ratzburgh took of the Jensen home Christmas decorations were out. If someone is depressed, you are not decorating, especially in your husband’s computer room. IMHO

Reply