Kimberly Kessler again removed as witness testimony continues in murder trial

NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. – Judge James Daniel again gave Kimberly Kessler a accidental to enactment successful the courtroom during her execution proceedings -- an effort which lasted little than a infinitesimal Tuesday morning.

As soon arsenic the justice started speaking with Kessler, she chopped him off, saying, “No, I garbage this counsel. I ever have.” He tried to accidental more, and she said, “It’s injustice, and you cognize it. Jordan Beard is Joleen’s cousin” — an accusation astir 1 of her erstwhile defence attorneys that has been proven untrue.

Kessler was again taken to a holding room, wherever she tin spot and perceive the proceedings but can’t interfere. Daniel said she tin inquire to beryllium brought backmost into the courtroom astatine immoderate time.

WATCH LIVE: Murder proceedings continues for Kimberly Kessler successful decease of co-worker Joleen Cummings

Ad

Once Kessler was removed, 1 of her attorneys again requested a intelligence wellness evaluation, which the justice denied.

The jurors were past brought into the courtroom and the witnesser grounds began for the day, starting with a Nassau County Sheriff’s Office sergeant who was a detective with the Crime Scene Unit astatine the clip of Cummings’ disappearance.

Prosecutors showed a timeline Monday successful the Nassau County Courthouse, highlighting Kessler’s purchases and net searches, arsenic good arsenic surveillance video, successful the days surrounding 34-year-old parent of 3 Joleen Cummings’ disappearance successful 2018.

Kessler is accused of murdering Cummings, her co-worker astatine Tangles Hair Salon. Cummings’ assemblage has not been found.

Opening statements successful Kessler’s proceedings began Monday, followed by respective witnesses, including Anne Johnson, Cummings’ mother.

Johnson testified that it wasn’t her daughter’s property to conscionable disappear.

Ad

“She didn’t adjacent admit her birthday,” Johnson said.

Cummings was archetypal reported missing successful May 2018, aft she ne'er showed up to prime up her children connected Mother’s Day.

Multiple witnesses testified that they went to Tangles Hair Salon connected May 12, 2018, and saw hairdressers Cummings and Kessler. It’s the past time Cummings was seen. Cummings’ ex-husband, Jason Cummings, testified that Joleen Cummings ne'er picked up their 2 young sons from him the adjacent day, which was Mother’s Day.

“I was waiting for her to propulsion up. I waited astir an hour. I tried to interaction Joleen,” helium said.

Over the years, the authorities has released a slew of evidence, including photos of humor recovered successful the salon and surveillance footage of Kessler successful Joleen Cummings’ SUV, without her.

Kessler was besides seen connected surveillance video carrying trash bags from Tangles Hair Salon to a dumpster down the building.

And a receipt shows Kessler bought cleaning gloves, ammonia, trash bags and an electrical weapon astir the aforesaid clip Joleen Cummings disappeared.

Ad

RELATED: Texts, photos released successful murder case | Kessler searched Joleen Cummings’ sanction 457 times | Suspect bought zip ties earlier Joleen Cummings disappeared

State prosecutors opened by saying Joleen Cummings was killed by Kessler, and though a assemblage was ne'er found, determination was a ample magnitude of Joleen Cummings’ DNA near down astatine the salon. Investigators recovered a bluish bin that contained a partial fingernail of Joleen Cummings. Prosecutors besides told the assemblage successful opening statements that Kessler hunt the net connected April 30, 2018, for “co idiosyncratic blameworthy of sidesplitting co worker.”

Ad

The defence said this lawsuit is astir grounds and a deficiency of evidence. The defence besides acknowledged that Kessler and Joleen Cummings worked unneurotic and had an ongoing conflict.

Prior to taking the stand, Joleen Cummings’ parent posted successful the “Joleen Jensen Cummings Recovery and Prayer Page.” She besides sent News4JAX this message:

Copyright 2021 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.