Case Heads to Jury in Dirksmeyer Murder Trial

Wednesday, the defense and prosecution made their final statements, and a jury was left to decide whether Kevin Jones is guilty or innocent of killing Arkansas Tech student Nona Dirksmeyer. The prosecution told jurors that Jones went to Dirksmeyers apartment on December 15, not intending to hurt her, but that when Jones saw a condom wrapper in her apartment, he killed her in a passionate rage, then staged a rape scene. They also brought up Jones bloody palm print on a light bulb, saying he touched the bulb when he killed Dirksmeyer. The prosecution also mentioned that no one knows where Jones was for two hours the day Dirksmeyer died, and prosecutors say his grandmother lied on the stand about seeing him within that period of time. The prosecution also says the crime scene wasnt properly investigated, something the defense agrees with. Wednesday, the defense noted Kevin Jones gave DNA, fingerprints, and statements to investigators voluntarily. Jones even offered for investigators to search his vehicle, which they never did. They say male DNA found on a condom and underneath Dirksmeyers fingernails does not belong to Kevin Jones, and Jones and Dirksmeyer were the only people who had their DNA tested. The defense told jurors that when Jones was interviewed the day Dirksmeyer died, there werent any signs of scratching on his body, which the defense says there would have been if Dirksmeyer was fighting him for her life. Jones attorneys also say Dirksmeyers cell phone was given to her family before detectives were able to look at it. The jury will continue deliberations Thursday morning.