Kelsey Berreth Update: Patrick Frazee's Murder Trial Begins, Jury Seated, Opening Statements Delivered
On Nov. 1, Patrick Frazee's murder trial began and the jury of seven women and five men was seated. The Colorado man has been charged with first-degree murder, solicitation of murder, and tampering with a body following the 2018 disappearance of Kelsey Berreth.
According to the Daily Beast, prosecutors said that Frazee had convinced his "secret girlfriend," Krstyal Lee Kenney, to help him carry out a plot to kill the mother of his child. However, due to Kenney's reluctance to carry out the plan, Frazee allegedly took it upon himself to kill Berreth on Nov. 22, 2018.
Kenney, who works as a nurse in Idaho, has maintained her innocence regarding her part in the actual murder but has admitted to helping Frazee clean up the crime scene. Previously, her best friend, Michelle Stein, revealed to "48 Hours" that Kenney had had a "legitimate fear for her life," which kept her from coming forward at an earlier time.
Jennifer Viehman, the acting prosecutor, seemed to echo that sentiment, calling Frazee "a cold, calculating manipulator" during her opening statement.
Kenney is expected to testify against him at some point during the trial, as stated by her agreement after pleading guilty in February. Ultimately, she could be ordered to serve up to three years in prison.
As for Frazee's defense, his lawyers cited "foundational issues" and stated that in actuality it was Kenney who killed Berreth. As stated by the Daily Beast, Ashley Porter, one of Frazee's lawyers, told jurors in her opening statement that they have yet to hear the "raw and unedited version" of what she says truly transpired.
Previously, it had also been reported that Frazee's defense had wanted to name an alternate suspect, presumably Kenney, but the deadline to do was Sept. 16.
At this time, neither Berreth's body nor a murder weapon have been recovered. If Frazee is convicted of first-degree murder, he would receive a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
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