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Rochester Democrat & Chronicle

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 10:05:13 -0700

Julie’s tragic story and her brother’s musical tribute were featured in the Sunday Rochester paper The Democrat & Chronicle.
view paper layout here
go to online version

CD Finally Released!

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:46:51 -0700

Finally, the physical CD “Voices From Beyond” is being sold on CDbaby, the largest independent artist online record store! The downloadable version is also now on iTunes. Thank you for everyone’s patients waiting for its release. The album was conceived in 2006 as a family tribute to Julie to share her warm personality with others, helping make memories of her become more timeless. It was a labor of love worked on in spare-time hours during 2007 in which Griffin family members and guest artists were recorded in Rochester, New York; Kenosha, Wisconsin; and Los Angeles, California. The last track to be recorded was actually done in Elkhorn, Wisconsin where the trial was held. Julie’s brothers were attending court proceedings in the daytime and then systematically checking final mixes thru internet by headphones on breaks or in the evenings. The final mix was finished on the day of sentencing. After production costs are recouped, a portion of proceeds will be going to a yet-to-be-determined domestic abuse foundation to raise awareness and donate help for abused women and children. If anyone is interested in large bulk orders or other means of distribution, please email the website directly. Otherwise, purchase here.

Victim Statements & Sentencing

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 23:31:55 -0800

After hearing victim impact statements from Mark and Julie’s sons and Julie’s brothers, Judge Schroeder sentences Mark Jensen to Life in Prison with NO Parole. Prosecution states that justice is done. Craig Albee claims it was an unfair trial and will be appealed. Half of the jury shows up showing their support for Julie and her brothers.

Sentencing to be held in Kenosha

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:50:10 -0800

Sentencing hearing which determines when Mark may be eligible for parole is scheduled for 9 am sharp Wednesday morning on February 27th in the downtown Kenosha Courthouse on floor 3. This is when victims may address the court and read their victim impact statements which may influence the judge on the length of Mark’s jail sentence with or without parole. Court is always open to the public. Friends of Julie are especially welcome and greatly appreciated!

Guilty as Charged

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 22:25:39 -0800

At the end of day 3 of jury deliberations, the jury returns a verdict of GUILTY. Mark is led away without incident. Defense Craig Albee declares the trial unfair and the verdict wrong. Prosecution Jambois declares the trial just and that Mark committed the most heinous crime he has ever seen in trial. The jury speaks with the media and Griffin brothers until the court building closes.

Last Day of Rebuttal Witnesses

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 15:52:08 -0800

Rebuttal witness Dr. Mary Mainland testifies it is not uncommon for unknowns to be in conclusive gas chromatograph reports. She cited cases where vitreous humor electrolytes appeared normal in acidotic patients who died of EG poisoning. She then tastes antifreeze on the stand stating it indeed tastes sweet. She recounts that some people have died from as little as 30ml of EG. She said that if Julie had had an initial large suicidal dose on Dec. 1st, she would have been dead or in the hospital before the 3rd, and EG would NOT have been found undigested in her stomach. Food, however, could have been in her stomach even from days previous due to excessive vomiting. She examined Julie’s liver under microscope and even though it appeared fatty, it technically was not, proving her metabolic rate was quite normal. She also insisted that most reliable medical sources state EG half-life to be 3-5 hours. Closing arguments will begin on Monday.

Nancy Lyon Poisoned to Death

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 15:53:41 -0800

Nancy Dillard Lyon was poisoned by husband Richard Allen Lyon by a home concocted arsenic poison in Dallas Texas in 1991. Nancy had complained of failing health and was even hospitalized. She suspected her husband and told some friends and the doctor she thought she was being systematically poisoned. The hospital originally did not know cause of death, but the doctor grew suspicious of her husband from her remembering bitter drinks. The defense claimed she was suicidal and she had signed for ordering poisons. Later, the prosecution found Richard had forged her signatures on quite a few things, including the chemical orders. Nancy also filed for divorce but later canceled it. He had multiple attempts at trying to poison her with chemicals and finally succeeded with arsenic. Richard also was wooing a mistress and took an expensive trip five weeks after his wife’s death. He was a smart suave Harvard graduate who received a life sentence. read more here

Testimony from Kenosha’s Dr Mainland

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:55:12 -0800

Forensic pathologist Dr. Mainland labels Julie’s cause of death a homicide by ethylene glycol poisoning with possibility of forced asphyxiation. She testifies that Aaron Dillard’s testimony is true because he knows details that were not listed in any other source as well as his story explains the whole picture incorporating witnesses statements, forensic science, and time table. She estimates Julie’s time of death to be close to 2:30 pm.
read more and original video

Testimony from Officer Kosman

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 15:56:18 -0800

Officer Ron Kosman testifies Julie left messages for him stating her fears of Mark and he followed up with stopping by her house and getting her film developed of suspicious pictures of Mark’s computer and day planner. He had gotten to know Julie by investigating 7 years of harassment including pornographic photos left at the Jensen premises, prank phone calls to their house, and a few break-ins into their house as well as Mark’s car. After putting traces on the Jensen’s phone several times, he finally suspected that Mark was doing it to harass Julie about the 2 night affair she had had. Mark claimed the harassment was from her ex-lover Perry Tarica. original video here

Kelly Jensen (LaBonte) Testifies

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:57:30 -0800

Mark’s new wife, Kelly (LaBonte) testifies that Mark and her started a sexual relationship in October 1998. Emails back and forth support the claim, detailing sexual fetishes, possible plans for a Winstar Cruise, and what to do about their existing ‘details.’ The next day Kelly testifies that Mark asked her to detail all her previous lovers and what she did with them and what size their private parts were. The prosecution collects detailed notes that Mark took about these seventeen men. Kelly claims to forget when the conversation occurred, yet the crime lab has John Jock Joseph, one of her previous lovers, looked up on Mark’s computer in fall of 1998. After saying she only remembers conversation in 2000, she admits 1998 might be possible. read more and original video here

Neighbor “Margaret” Wojt

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:59:40 -0800

Julie’s next-door neighbor Malgorzata Wojt knew Julie for five years and considered her of trustworthy character and judgement. They often exchanged recipes together. Two weeks before her death, she became more aware of Julie’s marriage problems. “Margaret” thought how strange it was that Mark would ask Julie how she felt after her miscarriage and write a physical note of it. Julie told her that Mark said that he would kill her before ever getting a divorce. Julie wanted to stay home with Douglas until he began kindergarden, but Mark insisted he go to daycare and she get a job. Douglas was already in part-time preschool but was switched to full-time the week of Julie’s death. On the Tuesday before her death, “Margaret” asked if she believed Mark would really in fact harm her and Julie answered “yes.” more details in timeline original video here

Testimony from Jail-mate Aaron Dillard

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:58:29 -0800

Jail-mate Aaron Dillard testified truthfully in exchange for getting his probable jail time for paper-crimes and fraud changed to a probation sentence. He befriended Mark in jail mid August because they seemed to have some things in common since they both owned construction businesses. After discussing Mark’s case on and off for three days, Mark finally describes how he suffocated Julie because the poison was talking too long. Mark got Julie to go to the doctor and get prescribed for Paxil and lithium. Mark then gave her juice mixed with antifreeze, but after taking it she was bouncing of the ceiling wired. So they both looked up Paxil on the internet for possible side effects so he could try to settle her down. She got sick and could not sleep, so the next day Mark went to the doctor and got some Ambien so he could get her to sleep through the rest of the ordeal. He gave her more antifreeze with juice and she could not get out of bed. That evening they were all on the bed with Julie and the kids wanted Mark to bring their mother to the hospital. Mark said he would if she wasn’t better by the next day. The next morning, Mark dropped the kids off to school, and stopped by work for a meeting. When he came back home, he panicked because Julie’s breathing had improved slightly. So he turned her on her side and sat on mid section and pushed her head into a pillow until she was dead. Mark told Dillard he’s lucky she didn’t die the first time he poisoned her because he didn’t have his defense story sewn up, plus he had blabbed to Ed Klug when he was drunk. She just got really sick and threw up on the carpets and Mark had to get them cleaned. Dillard knew things about the murder that were not in papers and only known by detectives and also coo-borate medical evidence and other testimony. original video here

Neighbor “Ted” Wojt

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:00:58 -0800

Julie’s neighbor Tadeusz Wojt knew Julie for years and talked with her almost daily the last six weeks of her life. He did not notice any change in her demeanor or physical appearance but noticed she was feeling down. He did notice a big change in Mark’s personality after he started a new job, as well as three weeks before Julie’s death as Mark would completely ignore him even walking within feet of each other. Julie told him her and Mark were arguing daily and she suspected he was seeing another woman because of the frequency Mark would stay away overnight supposedly in Chicago, an hour away. Julie saw suspicious sticky notes and websites on Mark’s computer and took Ted’s suggestion of taking pictures of it and giving it to the police. Julie also put a sealed letter in Ted’s pocket with instructions to deliver to police in case something happened. Mark threatened Julie by saying he would tell doctor’s she was an unfit mother and she would never see the kids again. The day of her death, Ted noticed Mark was home when he was usually at work. The day after her death Ted saw Mark and his father, Dan Jensen, giving each other a high-five in their driveway and celebrating happily. (read details of Ted’s recollection of Mark’s controlling behavior in the ‘timeline’)

Jail Phone Conversations

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 16:03:01 -0800

After John Zielsdorph testifies how phone calls are recorded from jail, the jury listens to recorded phone conversations made in September 2007 from Mark to his new wife Kelly and his parents Dan & Florence Jensen about arranging money to be paid to David Thompson’s fiance Kim for having Ed Klug “sat on” during trial. Mark also talks with his mother about doing paid talk-show interviews and getting a million dollar book deal and everyone relaxing and having some fun after the end of the trial. Although unsure of the reason for the money transfer, Florence tells Mark she will do absolutely anything they need done. She then proclaims to be the best damn computer researcher around. read more and picture original video here

Multiple Doses

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 16:01:55 -0800

St. Louis University Forensic Toxicologist Christopher Long testifies that this is a case of multiple doses of ethylene glycol poisoning because crystals of poison were found in Julie’s liver tissues, yet undigested poison was found in her stomach, as well as she had a low concentration of it in her blood. These facts are inconsistent with suicide and support multiple doses were given. Defense Craig Albee keeps grilling Dr. Long that the amount of ethylene glycol in the stomach was mis-stated while Dr. Long testifies that ANY amount found in the stomach indicates multiple doses. more here

Testimony from Jail-mate David Thompson

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:06:23 -0800

Jail inmate David Thompson testified that Mark went along with a plan to pay money to have witness Ed Klug held captive at his home so he could not testify at trial. The jury listened to the police recording of Mark okaying the arrangements with David’s fiance. Although he said Mark thought it was a cheap price, Thompson said there was always a “plan B” to get rid of Klug permanently which he then said Mark nodded to. original video here

Testimony from Neighbors

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:05:35 -0800

Julie’s neighbors testify she was a great loving mother who never showed any signs of depression, mental illness, or significant weight change in six to eight years of knowing her, including the last two weeks before her death. If the testimony of Angela Martinelli, Ruth Vorwald, Carrie Ashley, Marion Pacetti, and Kim Shaw are true, Mark’s claims about her history of manic depression and her weight loss to the point of being totally unrecognizable are untrue. The jury saw pictures of Julie taken in November, only a week or two before her death.

Open to the Public

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:04:23 -0800

The trial is open to the public and in session daily from 9 to 5 with an hour for lunch. If you would like to show your support for Julie and the Griffin family, please join us. We will be there for the duration of the trial, estimated to be at least five weeks. The trial is not being held in downtown Elkhorn, but rather the newer Walworth County Judicial Center located at 1800 City Rd NN on the third floor. It is right across the street from the Aurora Lakeland Medical Center and is approximately a 50 minute drive from Kenosha. see google map

Carol Hellar Poisoned with Antifreeze

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 16:07:23 -0800

In a strikingly similar 1998 case, Carol Hellar’s husband placed a small amount of antifreeze in her food for eight months, which finally caused her death. He claimed she was crazy and depressed and committed suicide by drinking it. He also had a girlfriend on the side. Carol had made 31 trips to hospitals and clinics, complaining of health issues. Over 23 different doctors found nothing wrong with her. The case took two-and-a-half years to be solved in Oklahoma, with help later on by toxicology expert Dr. Alphonse Poklis of Virginia Commonwealth University. Most professionals thought her death was a result of a drug interaction between her anti-depressant medications. Her husband received life in prison. read more

Testimony of Rhonda Mitchell

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 16:08:24 -0800

Rhonda Mitchell testified the only emails ever used on the Jensen computer were by Mark. Sexual emails between Mark and Kelly were found starting in the summer of 1998. Poison and pipe bomb and antifreeze websites were looked up on the computer in late night and early morning hours, but never when Mark was at work or out of town. Some searches for poison were near the time other Stifel Nicholas business websites were accessed. There was only two uses of the home finance Quicken checkbook used while Mark was at work. The emails and websites reflect Mark and Kelly trying to plan a getaway aboard Windstar Cruises. Nearly the whole night before Julie’s death as well as the morning of her death, many poison websites and websites about unconsciousness and low pulse rate symptoms are accessed. All of the internet files were systematically deleted and in the Julie’s final days deleted multiple times per day. read more original video here

Testimony of David Nehring

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 16:12:13 -0800

If David Nehring’s testimony is true: Mark claims that Julie lost so much weight that she was unrecognizable is false; Mark’s claims that Julie died from a drug interaction is false; Mark’s claims about receiving harassing mail at work is false. Mark told Julie frequently that he was out of town on business while he was meeting Kelly LaBonte. Mark asked David if it was okay to bring his mistress Kelly to Julie’s wake and funeral. David also stated Mark never forgave Julie for her affair and remained upset about it years later. Mark also talked to David about suffocation. Mark spent hours researching drugs on his work computer which happened to suddenly become inoperable the weekend after Mark was interrogated. read more

Testimony of Therese DeFazio

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 16:09:37 -0800

Therese DeFazio saw Julie every week, while assisting in her 3rd grade classroom from September thru November 1998. A week before her death, Therese coaxed Julie into telling her what was wrong and Julie finally confessed she was afraid Mark was planning on killing her. Therese also testified that Julie told her Mark had threatened to take their kids so Julie would never see them again. Therese also said Julie did not have any dramatic weight loss, as Mark claims. Julie also told her that Mark would lie to their marriage counselor to make her look like a crazy, bad mother. Therese also testified that during parent-teacher conference, Mark was cold and silent, unless otherwise directly spoken to. story and video here

Voice from Beyond

Tue, 8 Jan 2008 16:13:28 -0800

Nine years after Julie suspected her husband was plotting to kill her, and she wrote a letter to that effect, jurors finally were able to read her words for themselves. She truly spoke from the grave. This date just happens to coincide with Julie’s late mother’s birthday! Even though it was a quiet moment in court as the jurors read the letter silently, it was a momentous achievement for an innocent voice to be heard. Witness testimony continued with Dr. Chambliss, paramedic Dave Wilkinson, handwriting document expert Lane Lewis, and then on to Ed Klug, Mark’s former associate.
Original video here

Whirlwind Start

Mon, 7 Jan 2008 16:14:41 -0800

Jury instructions, opening statements, and the trial was well one its way. Dr. Chambliss, who was the original doctor who was hired by Kenosha medical examiner to do initial ‘cause of death’ autopsy, was shown photographs of the crime scene (which he had never seen before) and changed the cause of death from ethylene glycol poisoning to asphyxiation by smothering. His original report was undetermined due to low levels of ethylene glycol in the Julie’s blood and unexplained hemorrhaging in back of throat and a number of ribs. The trial was suddenly interrupted by a tornado warning and everyone was escorted to the basement for an hour while the storm blew over. Three funnel clouds touched down wreaking havoc and destroying homes in Kenosha. The trial is shown daily on TV on Court TV’s TruTV cable access around the country. Also CNN is covering the trial via live internet streaming. More details at Kenosha News

Supreme Intervention

Thu, 3 Jan 2008 16:16:11 -0800

News headlines begin pre-trial with Fox News weighing in on the Court decision debate. original video here. The case also was first featured news story on the aol.com homepage complete with a personal opinion poll. Other pre-trial articles were found in Chicago Tribune, AP on Google News, and the Telegraph in the UK.

Interview on Talk Radio

Sat, 8 Dec 2007 22:59:51 -0800

Julie’s youngest brother Patrick Griffin was interviewed by John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou of The John & Ken Show in Los Angeles on KFI AM640 Talk Radio. The first section of the interview sounds cut-off in the middle as it was interrupted by an Amber Alert. As this was pre-trial, Patrick was not as familiar with some of the finer details of the murder, most of which were later proven in court. He also keeps referring to Ed Klug incorrectly by the name of Earl.

The John & Ken Show
KFI AM640 Talk Radio
Amber Alert

Trial to be in Elkhorn, WI

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 16:18:41 -0800

Defense attorneys had until last Friday to change their minds in support of Judge’s decision to hold trial in Elkhorn Wisconsin. Supposedly this place is now set in stone and the trial will begin January 7th with jury selection starting the week before. read more

Trial Delayed until January 2008

Thu, 4 Oct 2007 16:19:40 -0700

Apparently Mark confessed to inmate how he suffocated Julie because the poison was taking too long and also how he was trying to arrange to have Edward Klug kidnapped while in jail. Of course, the testimony is taken somewhat lightly because it comes from another criminal, yet his story is supported by both the unexplained medical evidence of Julie’s traumatized lungs and pushed-in nose as well as the recorded phones calls Mark had made from Jail. The judge decides to postpone the trial in order to avoid mistrial. read more testimony here and judge’s decision here.

Porn-a-Plenty

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 16:21:01 -0700

Judge Schroeder rules at a hearing that it is completely relevant to the trial that Mark harassed Julie by planting pornography at their home and his car as well as making prank calls for six years while boldly involving and lying to authorities the whole time. Original video here.

People Speak Up, And Lawyers Don't Like It

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 22:32:53 -0700

The following statement was printed from a responding reader of the Kenosha News, who must have been following the court headlines for quite sometime. “The cost of a Kenosha News: 75 cents. The price of a cheap pair of reading glasses: $4.95. The look on Mark Jensen’s face cuffed and being hauled to jail: priceless!” Mark Jensen’s lawyers are stated as “wanting closed doors” barring the public from the remainder of the hearing. It remains up to the judge, however, Wisconsin State Law says the public has a right to be in on most hearings.