Mark Jensen Retrial Day 16: Closing Arguments, Jury Begins Deliberations

Copied!
Defense Attorney Jeremy Perri and Special Prosecutor Bob Jambois
(Photos by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Anthony Milisauskas (Branch 4)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

The fate of Mark Jensen is now in the hands of 12 of his peers. Jensen is being tried for the second time of intentional homicide for the alleged poisoning murder of his wife Julie. Judge Milisauskas instructed the jury this morning on the law and how to come to a verdict.

Paid Advertisement
Kenosha County Deputy District Attorney Carli McNeill
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Kenosha County Deputy District Attorney Carlie McNeill gave the first closing arguement today on behalf of the State of Wisconsin. McNeill emphasized the electronic evidence and the searches on the Jensen family computer. McNeill suggested that the defense’s experts sided with the defense because of how much money they were paid.

Paid Advertisement
Defense Attorney Jeremy Perri
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Defense attorney Jeremy Perri gave the closing argument for the defense, pointing out the opinions of the highly-qualified medical experts. Perri said that it wasn’t the defense’s position that Julie framed Mark, but instead she had a severe mental health problem and had a distorted sense of reality.

Paid Advertisement
Special Prosecutor Bob Jambois
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

In Wisconsin, the prosecution gets two kicks at the cat, so to speak, during closing arguments. Jambois gave the rebuttal closing argument. Technically, he’s limited to only rebut what Perri talked about, but he strayed slightly off base. Jambois must have gotten feedback for his earlier behavior. He told the jury that if he appeared angry, it was because he was upset at the experts’ opinions. Jambois started out by mocking defense attorney Mackenzie Renner. He frequently used the wrong names of many of the lawyers in his argument. He spoke in a slow, deliberate, and sometimes creepy-sounding tone. He insulted the experts hired by the defense calling them “hired guns.”

Paid Advertisement

The judge’s clerk, Janet Mattner, selected four numbers at random. Theses four jurors were alternates and will not be included in the deliberations. With that, the jury was off to deliberate. After about an hour, the jury foreman sent a note to the judge asking to see exhibits.

Paid Advertisement
Kenosha County Deputy District Attorney Carli McNeill and Special Prosecutor Bob Jambois
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Special Prosecutor Robert Jambois and Defense Attorney Jeremy Renner
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

The crime scene photos of Julie deceased in her bed were shown to the jury live in the courtroom at their request. Several other exhibits were sent back with them. They were excused today at 5:00pm. They will return tomorrow at 8:30 am.

Paid Advertisement
Larry Griffin, Older Brother of Julie Jensen (Griffin)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Larry Griffin, Julie’s older brother, gave a statement to the media after the Jury began to deliberate. He showed the group of reporters many photos of Julie and sang a song (In My Life – The Beatles) in remembrance of his beloved sister. He had the following to say:

Paid Advertisement

“Following through on Julie’s words, her desperate words that she wrote at 7:00 am on November 21, 1998, ‘if anything happens to me, he would be my first suspect.’ We are dismayed and bewildered that this trial took place a second time 24 years after you gave up your life, Julie, for your three D’s. We’re uncomfortable with the status of reliving all the events surrounding your death in full view of the public. However, we are in total support of attorneys Bob Jambois, Carliy McNeill, Bob Jambois and their team, to keep your murderer behind bars. We are saddened and angered that the only defense being used by Mark is written statements from prison in his attempt to make you and our family look irrational and suicidal. Yet we have testified as needed by the court to defend your honor and that of our family. Julie, we dearly love and appreciate and thank your friends and neighbors who shared pleasant times with you, who can testify to your vibrance and caring nature. Our utmost gratitude goes out to those kind people who helped you in your times of distress, including the Pleasant Prairie Police and the first responders. We, your brothers, our families, and your many relatives and friends across the country all grieve that people who did not know you will never experience what a kind, gentle-nature person you were, that you loved your two sons more than anything else on this earth and that you never, never would have left. Finally, we know you did not want to burden us brothers with your marital problems, and you did not reach out to us. We see your tragic death, Julie, as a result of Mark’s increased aggression toward you, to cause fear, to exploit your vulnerabilities, to manipulate your actions so as to occupy a position of power and control over you. That is the definition of domestic abuse.”

Paid Advertisement

“There are places I’ll remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever, not for better
Some have gone and some remain

All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends, I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life, I’ve loved them all

But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new

Though I know I’ll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I’ll often stop and think about them
In my life, I love you more

There are places I’ll remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever, not for better
Some have gone and some remain

All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends, I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life, I’ve loved you”

Larry Griffin, Older Brother of Julie Jensen (Griffin) Showing Photos of Julie To Media
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Larry Griffin, Older Brother of Julie Jensen (Griffin) Showing Photos of Julie To Media
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Larry Griffin, Older Brother of Julie Jensen (Griffin) Showing Photos of Julie To Media
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Larry Griffin, Older Brother of Julie Jensen (Griffin) Showing Photos of Julie To Media
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Larry Griffin, Older Brother of Julie Jensen (Griffin) Showing Photos of Julie To Media
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Larry Griffin, Older Brother of Julie Jensen (Griffin) Showing Photos of Julie To Media
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Larry Griffin, Older Brother of Julie Jensen (Griffin) Showing Photos of Julie To Media
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Larry Griffin, Older Brother of Julie Jensen (Griffin) Showing Photos of Julie To Media
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Larry Griffin, Older Brother of Julie Jensen (Griffin)
(Video by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Author

Copied!
LATEST NEWS

High-Speed Chase Ends in Courtroom: One Faces Potential Child Pornography Charges

Kenosha, Wis. — A 23-year-old Milwaukee man who led sheriff’s deputies on a high-speed chase through western Kenosha County is being held on $75,000 cash bail as prosecutors weigh possible child pornography charges related to his relationship with a 16-year-old girl. Jose Luis Soto-Nunez appeared in Kenosha County Circuit Court on March 27 and faces six felony charges stemming from the March 26 incident, including fleeing police, multiple counts of recklessly endangering safety, and operating a

Read More »

New Christian School Opens in Kenosha With Free Tuition for Eligible Families

Kenosha, Wis. — A new private school offering free tuition for qualifying families has opened in Kenosha, thanks to a partnership between Shining Star Christian Schools and Heritage Baptist Church. The new campus is located inside Heritage Baptist Church at 2313 17th Ave., and enrollment is now open for students entering kindergarten through eighth grade. Pastor Curtis McMiller, who leads the church, said he’s excited to welcome families and provide children with access to a quality,

Read More »
MORE TOP STORIES

Salem Man Gets Two-Year Sentence in Fond du Lac Despite High-Speed Chase, Firearm, and Drug Allegations

Kenosha, Wis. — A 24-year-old Salem man with a long history of criminal charges was sentenced to just two years in prison last month after pleading guilty to multiple felonies tied to a 2021 high-speed chase that endangered motorists and law enforcement in Fond du Lac County. Trenton Benjamin Kmiec, the son of local attorney and ousted politician, Theodore “Ted” Kmiec, appeared before Fond du Lac County Circuit Judge Tricia Walker on Feb. 25, 2025. Walker

Read More »

Deputy Suspended Over Retaliatory Traffic Stop After Middle Finger Incident

Kenosha, Wis. — The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office has disciplined a deputy who conducted a questionable traffic stop after a driver gave him the middle finger — a gesture protected by the First Amendment. Deputy Manuel Mandujano Jr. received a one-day unpaid suspension and mandatory constitutional policing training following an internal investigation into the February 1 incident, which gained traction online after video footage was posted to the “LackLuster” YouTube channel. The footage showed Mandujano initiating

Read More »

Salem Elementary Teacher Arrested After Alleged THC-Fueled Disturbance at Home

Kenosha, Wis. — A preschool teacher at Salem Elementary School was arrested late Saturday night after authorities say she ingested THC edibles and began behaving violently inside her Salem Lakes home. Melissa E. Briggs, 42, was taken into custody by the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department just after 11 p.m. Deputies responded to the 10000 block of 256th Avenue after her husband called 911, reporting that Briggs was experiencing a mental health crisis and pounding on a

Read More »

Body Cam Footage Contradicts Pastor’s Claim of Cooperation in Youth Minister Sex Crime Case

Kenosha, Wis. – Despite publicly claiming that Journey Church was cooperating with police, newly released body-worn camera footage obtained by Kenosha County Eye reveals that lead pastor Kevin Taylor declined to give a statement to investigators following the arrest of a fellow pastor now charged with 15 felonies involving intimate images of two women. Gabriel Mills, a former “Guest Experience Pastor” at Journey Church in Kenosha, was first arrested on September 30, 2024. According to a

Read More »

Dominick Black Violates Probation, Faces Arrest Warrant If He Fails To Return To Wisconsin

KENOSHA, Wis. — The Wisconsin Department of Corrections has notified a Kenosha County judge that Dominick Black, a probationer best known for his connection to the Kyle Rittenhouse case, violated the terms of his probation and is being ordered back to Wisconsin. In a letter sent yesterday to Judge Angelina Gabriele, Probation and Parole Agent Kimberly Ruhle reported that Black failed a drug test, was kicked out of substance use programming, and missed a mandatory probation

Read More »

Illinois Man Faces 46 New Charges, Possible Life In Prison After Multi-Agency Highway Pursuit

Kenosha, Wis. — An Illinois man already out on bond for multiple pending felony cases in Kenosha County was charged Thursday with 46 new counts in connection to a daytime police chase that spanned multiple jurisdictions and ended on the interstate. John S. Miller, 56, of Zion, now faces a staggering range of charges including first-degree recklessly endangering safety, criminal damage to property, fleeing and eluding police, and 36 counts of felony bail jumping. Prosecutors say

Read More »

County Executive Kerkman Announces Call For Nominations For Inaugural Kenosha County Veteran Of The Year Award

County Executive Samantha Kerkman today announced the establishment of a new award honoring outstanding veterans in Kenosha County. The Kenosha County Veteran of the Year Award seeks to honor veterans for their achievements and contributions after their time in service. This year’s award will be presented at Kerkman’s annual Veterans Appreciation Picnic, to be held May 30 at the Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park. Nominations for the inaugural award are being accepted until 5 p.m. April

Read More »

Kenosha Nurse Arrested for OWI After Son’s 911 Call, Claims Police Conspiracy

Kenosha, Wis. — A Kenosha nurse was arrested Friday evening for operating while intoxicated after her 9-year-old son called emergency services, saying he and his brother were home alone and hadn’t eaten. But what began as a routine OWI arrest has since spiraled into a bizarre string of conspiracy claims posted online by the woman at the center of the case. Police responded to the home around 7:30 p.m. on March 21 after the child reported

Read More »

Leadership Kenosha Announces 2025 Graduation Celebration and Award Winner

Leadership Kenosha is excited to announce its 2025 Graduation Celebration. The event will take place on Thursday, May 15, from 5-7 p.m. at The Stella Hotel and Ballroom – 5706 8th Ave. Each year, the participating cohort is recognized for completing the program at a graduation ceremony. The 2024-2025 cohort is made up of 21 community leaders, representing 18 unique organizations.With much to celebrate, KACC invites all alumni and members to join in on recognizing them.

Read More »

Gateway President Ritu Raju Exiting Amid Internal Turmoil, Board Politics

Kenosha, Wis. — Gateway Technical College President and CEO Dr. Ritu Raju is departing the school after just over two years on the job. The news comes on the heels of her being named a finalist for the presidency at Minnesota’s SouthCentral College—but sources tell Kenosha County Eye that Raju’s exit was imminent, regardless of whether she is offered the new position. While Raju has cited personal reasons for the move, including the loss of her

Read More »
Categories
Archives
Authors

One Response

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

LATEST NEWS
Categories
Archives
Authors

Subscribe to updates

Get notified of new articles. We'll never share your email address.