Dead Man Won't Be Accused Of Wesselman Murder: Judge

WHEATON, IL — A judge has ruled that a deceased murderer cannot be presented as a potential killer during a trial into the 1985 murder of Kristy Wesselman. Attorneys for the accused Champaign man, Michael Jones, 64, had hoped to present evidence linking Wesselman's death to a murderer named Ralph Raymond who died in prison in 2006.

The defense had mentioned that Raymond kept a list of his victim's names. One of these names was "Kris," which led defense attorneys to believe Raymond may have been responsible for Wesselman's murder. According to Judge George Bakalis, that thread of evidence is much too thin to launch a new accusation.

Jones was charged with Wesselman's murder after his DNA flagged as a match to DNA found at the 1985 crime scene. Prosecutors also said DNA from Andrews did not match DNA at the Wesselman murder scene, Daily Herald reports.

Kristy Wesselman was found murdered and sexually assaulted on a path that lead from her school to her home in unincorporated Glen Ellyn. She had stopped at a nearby store to buy snacks after school. A half-eaten candy bar was found just a few feet from her body.

Jones is set to appear in court on Jan. 23. If convicted of Wesselman's murder, he faces 80 years to natural life in prison.

>>Image via DuPage County State's Attorney's Office