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January 24, 2008

Silence falls as Jensen crime scene video plays

Posted: 10:26 AM ET

ELKHORN, Wisconsin – We have just seen the crime scene video in the case of Wisconsin v Mark Jensen. It was taken at the home of Mark and Julie Jensen on December 3, 1998 - hours after police were told Julie Jensen had died. The video shows Julie laying in bed with her face into her pillow.

It is sad, it is stirring, it is important evidence. As the lights were dimmed, the jury watched with the intensity they have had from the beginning. Video recap

Prosecutor Robert Jambois alerted Julie’s four brothers of what was going to be on the big projection screen. Only one brother remained in the courtroom, he bowed his head when Julie’s body appeared.

The defendant stared intently at the screen as police video showed close-ups of Julie’s face and body as the sheets were pulled back. When the video ended there was a stilling silence in that courtroom … hollowness as the reality of this death became front and center in the courtroom.

Jean Casarez, In Session correspondent

Filed under: Trials


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Barbara Turner   January 24th, 2008 11:48 am ET

Is Craig Albee really interested in this trial???? He sits there looking so bored with his chin in his hands, even when he is questioning the person on the stand.
He needs to show a LITTLE life!

Nancy from Wisconsin   January 24th, 2008 12:00 pm ET

Is the crime scene video going to be on-line? I would request it if it is not.

Toni   January 24th, 2008 12:16 pm ET

Mark should head south of the border, it's not only his best defense, it's his only defense!

Melody Lopas   January 24th, 2008 12:40 pm ET

I think Mark Jensen is guilty based on several pieces of evidence presented at the trial. I fear, however, that the jury is going to be so bogged down with all the witnesses and the little details that the DA is presenting the this is going to turn into another OJ verdict. Who cares about the "stars" on the side of the page? What is the point? Can't that just take his testimony and leave it at that? Is the jury going to remember all of this? Give the jury something to think about, not something to yawn about..

Rob   January 24th, 2008 12:48 pm ET

Hey Nancy from Wisc - why would you want to see the scene of a murder?

Melinda   January 24th, 2008 12:48 pm ET

The reason all of these "dirty" emails and drawings are being revealed is to show the power play between these two lovers/now spouses. It looks like Mark has a distinct issue with his sense of his own manhood and so wanted to compare himself to her lovers and always prove that he is better. Perhaps,his ultimate power play was to show that he could rid himself of his wife only to prove that he was better than the other lovers. These are off-balanced –a healthy logic doesn't always fit here.

NANCIE   January 24th, 2008 12:54 pm ET

NO NEED TO SENTENCE HIM TO DEATH; THEY ARE GOING TO BORE HIM TO DEATH!

Jw   January 24th, 2008 1:00 pm ET

As of yet I can't say if Mark Jensen is guilty or not. What I have noted is the Judge has let in too much stuff which seems to be going nowhere. The defense my seem bored because they have not been able to stop the trash from being entered in. Being on the TV Jury I would like to know what any of the last two days has to do with the killing of Julie Jensen. Lets get to some proof..............

Taylor Lang   January 24th, 2008 1:54 pm ET

Julie Jensen killed herself, clear and simple. The poor woman was crushed by her husbands affair and was being treated for depression. She had cheated on her husband first and could not bring things back to normal. He had started to move on with another life. Her sad cry for help went without notice. It was clear that she set the stage with a silly b-movie plot to frame her husband up for the murder. All of her clues were to be sent after something happened to her?? Why didnt she confront her husband with police or call her brothers in for help? Why didnt she just leave? It was a clear and sad cry for help or revenge which ruined too many lives.

Jan from California   January 24th, 2008 2:42 pm ET

I saw the crime scene video while watching the live video-feed from the court room. Jean Casarez hit the nail on the head when she commented that the sense in the court room after viewing the video was a " stilling silence in that courtroom … hollowness as the reality of this death became front and center in the courtroom." I too felt this way. As Julie Jensen was shown laying on the bed, I was suddenly deeply saddened. It was painfully real, not a dramatization. The general public who does not deal with life and death on a day-to-day basis, are numbed by television crime dramas (CSI, etc.) and the images no matter how gruesome are known to be fictional, the actors are not really dead. To have this crime scene video available online would potentially be disturbing in its reality, and certainly disrespectful of Julie Jensen as a person (not a spectacle to be displayed), and for her children and family.

linda   January 24th, 2008 2:53 pm ET

I would like to have the coverage of the trial to continue on to 5pm, like the old days. Anybody else?

MJ from WI   January 24th, 2008 3:02 pm ET

Just because the Jensen's have a sex life unlike our own it has nothing to do with murder. Bob Jambois' demeanor is way too confrontational; as embarrassing as this is to the current Mrs. Jensen seems to be trying to answer to the best of her knowledge and it has been 10 years since all these things have taken place. Two stupid and selfish people best describes the Jensen's. Julie Jensen had every opportunity to leave. I f I was THAT afraid that someone was trying to kill me I would have left POSTHASTE with my boys and the clothes on my back! Noone has said she was a victim of abuse. Perhaps she did not want to give up a life style. She told people that she was in fear why did they not force her out of the house or confront him directly! Lots of things wrong here on both sides.

Annette   January 24th, 2008 3:10 pm ET

I don't see why anyone would believe that Julie Jensen would kill herself and frame her husband. That is so dumb, what good would she get out of this, her children would be with out both parents.
I think Mark Jensen killed Julie Jensen pure and simple, I'm not too sure he loves those boys of his.
Also his attorney must be worried, all he wants to do is get a mistrail.

Annette, Ms.

Zig   January 24th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

Its easy to say how you think you would respond (or how someone should respond) to abuse – its a different story when it actually happens.

jwatts   January 24th, 2008 3:20 pm ET

WHILE WATCHING THE TRIAL TODAY, AT ABOUT 1:50PM, THE PROSECUTION JUST FINISHES UP WITH THE CURRENT WIFE OF JENSEN. THE ISSUE THEY WERE DISCUSSING WAS WHETHER SHE WAS LYING ABOUT INFORMATION SHE WAS ASSSUMED TO HAVE KNOWN. RIGHT AFTER THAT, THE PROSECUTION SAYS THEY HAVE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS. THE CAMERA THEN GOES TO MARK JENSEN & HIS ATTORNEY FOR RE-DIRECT.

IF YOU WATCH CLOSELY – MARK JENSEN TAKES A DRINK OF WATER FROM HIS CUP AND THEN "WINKS" WITH HIS RIGHT EYE AT HIS CURRENT WIFE.

VERY VERY INTERESTING BEHAVIOR.

Nancy   January 24th, 2008 3:20 pm ET

MJ are you saying that because she didn't leave that is what she got?

Michelle   January 24th, 2008 3:26 pm ET

MJ –

Why must we always blame the victim? There are alot of reasons why women are unable to leave situations and unless you are in her shoes you will never know why she made the choices she did. But no matter what, death should never be an option just because of the choices you make! This women is dead and judging her only makes you look foolish! But I will thank god that you have a perfect life and will never be a situation like she must have been in! And as women we are to hard on each other in this society, we seem to have less compassion for each other and as women we know to well how we are when it comes to men! SO BACK OFF!

Trish   January 24th, 2008 3:34 pm ET

I feel for the kids." I think" that was her way of ending her sadness and getting revenge on her husband as well.

Dixie   January 24th, 2008 3:55 pm ET

I know that Mark Jensen doesn't have to open is mouth while on trial. He has the right not to take the stand. But there's just something about his demeanor while sitting next to his lawyer. He looks smug. It's as if he's saying "Take your best shot, Mr. Prosecutor." He never seems to talk to his lawyer either. He just sits there looking so arrogant. I know he shouldn't be convicted based on his facial expressions, but the jury has to notice things like that. If I were a juror in this case, I'd look at his facial expressions and body language. Both would be shouting out "I'm guilty!"

I just hope all the sex and collateral evidence coming in won't secure a re-trial if/when he's convicted. I agree that his lawyer is just salivating at the thought of a mistrail or successful appeal.

Jane Carson   January 24th, 2008 3:58 pm ET

Please cover the trial until 4 or 5 every day. This new schedule stinks! I seldom watch anymore because there is so little trial coverage. Very disappointed!!!

Marlene   January 24th, 2008 3:59 pm ET

I also agree with Linda...I am sorry that the trial is cut off at 3....I like the old days where you could watch it till 5, we miss so much.

Donald   January 24th, 2008 4:00 pm ET

Why does CNN keep stopping the "live feed" of the trial and put on some other boring nothing to replace it? They need a feed solely for the trials and stop interrupting the court proceeding......

john   January 24th, 2008 4:02 pm ET

I to would like to see the coverage go until 5 pm so sthat we would not miss any real good evidence in the trial...

NJJ   January 24th, 2008 4:10 pm ET

I wish there was coverage on regular TV until the end of the court session! I am able to watch the live stream on the website on my Windows XP computer... but not on any of the Vista Home Premium computers. Any one else have this issue?

J T Vaughn   January 24th, 2008 4:20 pm ET

I agree with Linda too. If the court case runs at a different time, we miss most of the case. Also, you need to cut down on so much talking and get to the trial itself.
And Mark Jensen is GUILTY. No ifs, ands, or BUTS!!!!

Craig Parrish   January 24th, 2008 4:37 pm ET

Send Star Jones to the unemployment line and allocate her time to extend the trial.
I would rather watch grass grow than watch her show.

Pam   January 24th, 2008 4:45 pm ET

I so wish programming would go back to 5 p.m. Back in old days (Betty Broderick, OJ Simpson, etc) Court TV had live coverage 9-5 and then the evenings were summarized highlights of the day's trial for those of us who work. I guess most people can tape the day's shows but it sure would be nice for it to go back to the way it was. Anyone agree?

Jeanne   January 24th, 2008 7:18 pm ET

I have been watching this trial for a couple of weeks and was stunned to see how Mr. Jambois treats the witnesses. He's even rude and condescending to the prosecution witnesses. Someone is full of himself!!!

Beverly   January 24th, 2008 7:47 pm ET

There is coverage until 5 pm or whenever the court is finished for the day. I watch it on cnn.com/live. Just go to live streaming for the trial at that site.

michelle L   January 24th, 2008 8:29 pm ET

I personally know Mark and Kelly. They are 2 lovely people who care deeply for their children. Now granted its been 2 yrs since I last seen them but I really dont think he did it.

Judy Adams   January 25th, 2008 2:43 am ET

I agree with those who want the trial coverage extended til 5 eastern time...it's especially frustrating when the trial is broadcasting from Pacific time...especially with the OJ trial coming up in April!

Paco   January 25th, 2008 5:44 am ET

That kind of evidence is really hard for a family to take in. I understand the jury had to see it. I sure hope you didn't broadcast it on television out of respect for Julie Jensen.

Joyce l.   January 25th, 2008 10:05 am ET

I am listening to Lisa and Vinnie on Open Court, and if Julie wanted to frame her husband with anti-freeze why would she have put it back so neatly on the shelf in the garage and why take a poison that is so hard to trace?

Joyce   January 25th, 2008 10:34 am ET

To the Defense

Dig Dig Dig

Maybe the defense attomey needs to stay focused on the MURDER trial and quit trting to find fault with everyone for everything they have ever done in their lives. Or do they just KNOW that MJ is GUILTY, GUILTY.

Gerald   January 25th, 2008 11:39 am ET

I think that the prosecution has not proven it case without a reasonable doubt. I think that any individual with a clear mind had an indication that the spouse was trying to kill them my question is why did she even stay in the home. I don't want to hear that an excuse that she was staying there for the kids, take your kids and get out.

N Martin   January 25th, 2008 1:34 pm ET

So many question why Julie did not file a restraining order against her husband if she was in such fear. How many other thousands of other women who are physically and emotionally abused women do not report their abusers ? We may never no why each has their own personal reasons for not leaving even after physical beatings, which did not seem to be the case here. Also remember it seemed her priority was her children and as a housewife she may not have been so comfortable in that role, it would have seemed to be impossible to her to start over being a working mom because Mark was providing the sole financial supoort for her family.

Linda   January 25th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

I totally agree with everyone, please please extend the trial coverage. With all the
talking that goes on with the hosts whom i do like I would rather see the trial.
Also, when starr jones comes on I just turn the channel not as interesting as the
trial. Please listen to your watchers.

FRED   January 25th, 2008 5:09 pm ET

Mark Jensen has a smirk on his face all duing Cross Examination but not during Direct. Wonder why? His Attorney is boring and goes on and on and on. Maybe thats why he looks so bored.

Sara   January 31st, 2008 11:27 am ET

I remember when i was living in Racine county when this horrible tragic crime happened. I have been watching the trial since it started and I have to say that this is taking a long time. It is obvious to us all what happened here. I also must add that I give Judge Schroeder much respect, this has been one crazy courtroom!!!

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