Man Charged With Murder of Kristy Wesselman Pleads Not Guilty

A 62-year-old Champaign man charged with raping and murdering 15-year-old Kristina Wesselman in a field in unincorporated Glen Ellyn in 1985 entered not guilty pleas Tuesday in DuPage County court, the Daily Herald reports.

Michael Jones could face life in prison without parole if convicted on charges of murder and aggravated criminal sexual assault after prosecutors said DNA evidence recently linked him to the crime scene where Wesselman’s body was found.

He is accused of attacking Wesselman during the afternoon hours on July 21, 1985, as the Glenbard South High School sophomore walked through a path in a field from the Jewel-Osco near Butterfield and Route 53 back to her home on Cypress Drive in unincorporated Glen Ellyn.

Wesselman’s partially-clothed body was found the next morning by police under two trees near the path. A half-eaten candy bar and a soda pop was found in a bag nearby. Police said she was raped and stabbed eight times.

This past summer, Jones was required to submit DNA evidence after he was convicted of felony aggravated domestic battery in Champaign County. That sample was entered into a national database.

“Recently, on September 10, 2015, investigators from the sheriff’s office were informed there was a hit between that DNA profile from the victim and an offender in the database and that offender was Michael Jones,” said DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin in a press conference following Jones’ arrest.

A search warrant was issued on Sept. 18 and required Jones to submit a buccal swab. That was submitted to the crime lab and Berlin said it further linked Jones to the rape of Wesselman.

READ MORE ON PATCH:

• DNA Links Man With Criminal History of Rape, Domestic Battery to 1985 Murder of Glen Ellyn Teen: State’s Attorney
• Man Arrested in 30-Year Cold Case Murder of Teen