Mom: Son, daughter got along before he allegedly killed, raped her

By KORIE WILKINS
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

These were the words of Jennifer Spencer, who testified today in the first-degree murder trial of her son, Steven Kelsey, who is accused of killing and raping his teenage sister.

Spencer took the stand in the trial, which started this morning with jury selection, before Oakland County Circuit Judge Edward Sosnick. Kelsey, of Highland Township, could face life in prison if convicted. Police and prosecutors say Kelsey, 20, was home on leave from U.S. Army basic training when he stabbed and raped his sister, Jesika Kelsey, 17.

In her testimony, Spencer said Jesika and her brother generally got along but had typical sibling squabbles. In the days that Steven was home from basic training, Spencer said the family got along really well and had a good Christmas.

“It was the most pleasant two weeks we ever had as a family,” she said.

Spencer described finding her daughter’s bloody and partially nude body Jan. 1 and her 911 tape was played for the jury. There was also testimony from one of the first Oakland County sheriff deputies on the scene and Matthew Hammond, Jesika’s former boyfriend, who had been texting with the girl until about 4:20 a.m. the morning of her death.

In her opening statements this afternoon, assistant Oakland County Prosecutor Hala Jarbou said the evidence in the case was “overwhelming, compelling and disturbing.” She said Jesika’s last words were: “Steven, why?

“Jesika didn’t get an answer to her question,” Jarbou said. “She died not knowing.”

In his opening statement, defense attorney Michael McCarthy said his client is responsible for his sister’s death. But he asked the jury to carefully consider whether Kelsey is guilty of first-degree murder by deciding whether he planned to kill his sister.

“It all boils down to … did he make a conscious decision, ‘Do I want this person to die?’”

In the coming days, there is to be testimony from other law enforcement officers, the medical examiner and crime scene technicians. A taped confession by Steven Kelsey will also be played.

The trial could wrap up by late Thursday or early Friday, with the jury beginning deliberations.

From: http://www.freep.com/article/20100125/NEWS03/100125035/1319/Jury-picked-for-mans-trial-in-sisters-slaying