Kelsey Berreth Update: Patrick Frazee Returns To Court, Issues Addressed Before Murder Trial

On Friday, Patrick Frazee made his last appearance in court before his murder trial begins. The Colorado resident has been charged with first-degree murder, solicitation of murder, and tampering with a body regarding the 2018 disappearance of Kelsey Berreth. He has pled not guilty to all aforementioned charges.

At this time, investigators believe that Frazee, 33, murdered his fiancee inside her Woodland Park townhome and later burned her body on the property he shared with his mother. After an extensive search, Berreth's remains still have not been found.

However, law enforcement officials did discover "residue of an accelerant at the Florissant ranch where investigators allege Frazee burned Berreth's body" during their search.

According to the Gazette on Friday, Frazee's attorneys discussed various issues prior to jury selection, which is set to start on Oct. 28. During the hearing, prosecutors reportedly indicated that they were in favor of showing pictures of Berreth while she was alive during the trial, while Frazee's attorneys opposed the idea. Fourth Judicial District Judge Scott Sells indicated that he would reveal his decision at a later date.

Prosecutors then discussed the witnesses they planned to call to the stand once the trial is underway. Additionally, the presiding judge also ruled that press conferences after hearings or during the trial are prohibited and denied an undisclosed piece of evidence due to the late bid to admit it.

Previously, Frazee's team reportedly missed a filing deadline that would have allowed them to name an "alternate suspect." This means his former mistress, Krystal Lee, cannot be accused of murdering Berreth herself.

Now, it is said the defense will focus its efforts on a "general denial," which will likely measure reliability of witness accounts, integrity of forensic findings, and cell phone signals.

As for the prosecution, they are said to be relying heavily on Lee's testimony as they plan for the upcoming trial and view her as a key witness at this time. The Idaho nurse and former rodeo queen previously stated that Frazee asked her to murder Berreth on several occasions leading up to her disappearance, but Lee refused or backed out. Allegedly, the events culminated in a phone call that she received from Frazee on Thanksgiving Day telling her that she had "a mess to clean up."

Her best friend, Michelle Stein, also revealed to "48 Hours" that her friend had a "legitimate fear for her life" due to Frazee's previous actions, which prevented her from coming forward at an earlier date.

At this time, it is unknown when Frazee's murder trial will officially begin.