BOYLE COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18)– A Boyle County teen charged in connection with the murder of her stepmother heard some police evidence against her Thursday in court.
Jenna Oakley is accused of playing a role in the killing of Rhonda Oakley in 2016.
Oakley was just 15 years old when Rhonda was murdered. She and her boyfriend at the time, Kenneth Nigh, went on the run before they were caught in New Mexico.
Police told the judge in court Thursday about Jenna’s behavior when they went to pick her up and what happened before then.
When it comes to her behavior, police say she was upbeat and talkative but also cried at one point.
Mullins says at one point Jenna started to cry and said “I’m a piece of s*** and my life is s****.”
Defense asks if Jenna Oakley told Mullins about mental health issues and Mullins says yes. @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/MZZao8cTMx
— Karolina Buczek (@Karolina_Buczek) January 3, 2019
The detective working her stepmother’s death said that Jenna’s own dad told him important information.
“He walked up behind me and leaned in and I don’t remember the exact words but basically said ‘I know who did this,'” said Detective Monte Owens.
Phillip Oakley, Jenna’s father, was allowed to testify. He said that he shared custody of Jenna with her mom and that he gave detectives permission to talk to Jenna in order to find out what happened to his wife, Rhonda.
Prosecutors also have a recording of Jenna’s first interview with police. The judge said there is a potential confession on that tape and in order to keep everything fair for Jenna’s trial, he listened to it in private.
The defense asked a detective if there were any other suspects investigated besides Jenna and her boyfriend, Kenneth Night. Owens said that there was no other evidence that there were other suspects.
Things are a little tense between Oakley’s lawyers and Det. Owens.
When asked to reference a transcript (provided by the defense), Owens asks if he can receive one from the Commonwealth also and review the tapes. He says because of his experience, he’d like both. @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/U16TBgLy18
— Karolina Buczek (@Karolina_Buczek) January 3, 2019
The defense will pick up questioning of now-retired Detective Monte Owens Friday at 9 a.m.
