WhisperHorse
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A family tragedy has begun unraveling as a 19-year-old soldier on leave appeared in court on accusations he killed and raped his 17-year-old sister.
Steven Kelsey, home for the holidays from basic training with the U.S. Army, stood mute on charges of first-degree murder and felony murder Saturday morning during an arraignment in Oakland County Circuit Court.
If convicted, he faces life in prison.
The body of his sister, 17-year-old Jesika Kelsey, was found Thursday in the bedroom of a mobile home in the 40 block of Grant Drive in the Highland Greens Mobile Home Park, off of Milford Road and north of Highland Road in Highland Township.
Steven — who has only been in trouble with law enforcement once before for a minor in possession citation — is being held in Oakland County Jail without bond.
Oakland County Sheriff’s Lt. James A’Hearn declined to comment on details of the case following the hearing, saying they are letting the charges speak for themselves.
It was prior to the arraignment when A’Hearn was swearing to the warrant that he gave testimony about what investigators suspect happened.
According to his testimony and law enforcement reports, family and friends had attended a party at a Grant Drive home on New Year’s Eve.
Since returning home, Steven had been sharing a bedroom with Jesika.
Believing everyone had “retired” for the evening, A’Hearn said Steven told investigators: “I got a knife and killed her.”
The U.S. Army private, in graphic detail, admitted to stabbing his sister at least once in the neck and head before sexually assaulting her.
Family members wept loudly at A’Hearn’s statements during the hearing.
Jesika’s mother, Jennifer Spencer, found her daughter the next day, according to police.
Oakland County Sheriff’s deputies reported being dispatched about 3:30 p.m. Thursday for a reported homicide at the home.
A’Hearn said Jesika, partially nude, was lying on her left side on a bed in a bedroom of the mobile home.
The handle to a knife blade was also on the bed, police said.
Surrounding law enforcement agencies were immediately notified to be on the look out for Steven.
Livingston County Sheriff’s deputies reported a backpack covered by a coat was found about 11 a.m. Thursday in the Dumpster of a Wendy’s at 1967 Blaine Road, located off of Highland Road and east of M-23 in Hartland.
An employee of the restaurant looked inside the backpack and found blood-stained knives, A’Hearn said.
Also in the backpack were Steven’s military papers and identification, law enforcement reported.
Livingston County deputies found and arrested Steven about 6:30 p.m. in Tyrone Township after someone reported seeing a suspicious person.
He was given to Oakland County Sheriff’s deputies, who obtained a confession, A’Hearn said.
“Yes sir,” and “No sir,” were the only words Steven spoke during his arraignment.
Following the hearing, family members quickly left the courtroom, attempting to avoid media.
It is unknown if a defense attorney has been hired or assigned to the case.
A preliminary examination conference has been scheduled for Jan. 7 at 52-1 District Court.
Authorities say brother admits to stabbing, raping sister - The Oakland Press News: The best place for news in and around Oakland County
That's very gross to hear that a brother just killed his own sister then raped her.
Steven Kelsey, home for the holidays from basic training with the U.S. Army, stood mute on charges of first-degree murder and felony murder Saturday morning during an arraignment in Oakland County Circuit Court.
If convicted, he faces life in prison.
The body of his sister, 17-year-old Jesika Kelsey, was found Thursday in the bedroom of a mobile home in the 40 block of Grant Drive in the Highland Greens Mobile Home Park, off of Milford Road and north of Highland Road in Highland Township.
Steven — who has only been in trouble with law enforcement once before for a minor in possession citation — is being held in Oakland County Jail without bond.
Oakland County Sheriff’s Lt. James A’Hearn declined to comment on details of the case following the hearing, saying they are letting the charges speak for themselves.
It was prior to the arraignment when A’Hearn was swearing to the warrant that he gave testimony about what investigators suspect happened.
According to his testimony and law enforcement reports, family and friends had attended a party at a Grant Drive home on New Year’s Eve.
Since returning home, Steven had been sharing a bedroom with Jesika.
Believing everyone had “retired” for the evening, A’Hearn said Steven told investigators: “I got a knife and killed her.”
The U.S. Army private, in graphic detail, admitted to stabbing his sister at least once in the neck and head before sexually assaulting her.
Family members wept loudly at A’Hearn’s statements during the hearing.
Jesika’s mother, Jennifer Spencer, found her daughter the next day, according to police.
Oakland County Sheriff’s deputies reported being dispatched about 3:30 p.m. Thursday for a reported homicide at the home.
A’Hearn said Jesika, partially nude, was lying on her left side on a bed in a bedroom of the mobile home.
The handle to a knife blade was also on the bed, police said.
Surrounding law enforcement agencies were immediately notified to be on the look out for Steven.
Livingston County Sheriff’s deputies reported a backpack covered by a coat was found about 11 a.m. Thursday in the Dumpster of a Wendy’s at 1967 Blaine Road, located off of Highland Road and east of M-23 in Hartland.
An employee of the restaurant looked inside the backpack and found blood-stained knives, A’Hearn said.
Also in the backpack were Steven’s military papers and identification, law enforcement reported.
Livingston County deputies found and arrested Steven about 6:30 p.m. in Tyrone Township after someone reported seeing a suspicious person.
He was given to Oakland County Sheriff’s deputies, who obtained a confession, A’Hearn said.
“Yes sir,” and “No sir,” were the only words Steven spoke during his arraignment.
Following the hearing, family members quickly left the courtroom, attempting to avoid media.
It is unknown if a defense attorney has been hired or assigned to the case.
A preliminary examination conference has been scheduled for Jan. 7 at 52-1 District Court.
Authorities say brother admits to stabbing, raping sister - The Oakland Press News: The best place for news in and around Oakland County
That's very gross to hear that a brother just killed his own sister then raped her.
