Murder Trial Set For Man Accused Of Killing Teen In 1985

GLEN ELLYN, IL — After more than 30 years since Kristy Wesselman was found murdered in a wooded area near Glen Ellyn, her accused murderer is finally going to trial. Michael Jones, 63, of Champaign, has been charged with raping and killing Wesselman, 15, in 1985. Jones's trial for aggravated criminal sexual assault and first degree murder is set to begin January 23, 2018.

On July 21, 1985, Kristy Wesselman left school and bought a candy bar and a soda at Jewel-Osco on her way home. The next day, police found her body was found with the half-eaten candy bar near it on a patch of land near Route 53 and Butterfield, not far from her home.

Wesselman's murder case had gone cold for three decades until 2015, when he was required to submit DNA for unrelated charges of aggravated domestic battery. Jones's DNA was flagged as a match to DNA from Wesselman's murder case that had been submitted to the national database.

In the time since Wesselman's rape and murder, Jones was implicated in several similar crimes, including kidnapping an 18-year-old in 1977 and repeatedly drugging sexually assaulting a seventh-grade girl from 1989 to 1990, according to The News-Gazette. In May, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin asked a judge to permit the jury to hear evidence from these cases, which may suggest a pattern of behavior. The trial had initially been delayed so Judge George Bakalis could work through these requests.

If convicted, Jones faces up to 80 years or natural life in prison for Wesselman's murder.

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