Jury deliberating Kamauri Kennedy case

MINOT, ND ( KXNET ) — The case against Kamauri Kennedy is now in the hands of the jury.

Monday, the prosecution rested its case against Kennedy, the man accused of killing Domonique Kelley of Minot in 2021.

The state called its last witness to the stand on Monday. Sgt. Robbie Sumlin with the Minot Police Department testified about a video that the prosecution said shows Kennedy buying a gas can and screwdrivers at a gas station before the murder, which the state believes were used in the crime.

Sgt. Sumlin also said Kennedy asked to borrow a friend’s 2017 Yukon before the murder, which police believe left tire marks at the scene of the crime. That friend previously testified that Kennedy told her to burn that Yukon when he returned it to her. She said she, instead, hid the Yukon in Mandaree, and weeks later it was found by police with gunshots through it.

However, evidence from Kennedy’s phone records shows that he was not in North Dakota during the time the Yukon could have been shot up.

The state said they believed Kennedy had a motive for the murder, due to the relationship between Kennedy and Kelley. They said Kelley and Kennedy were involved in a drug operation and that the two had a relationship.

Kennedy was charged with conspiracy to commit murder and murder, both AA felonies.

Once the jury was dismissed for the day, Kennedy’s attorney asked the judge to dismiss the case through a dismissal motion. Judge Todd Cresap did dismiss the conspiracy charge but said there was evidence of a motive and opportunity for Kelley’s murder.

Kennedy told the court he would not be testifying and the defense would not call any witnesses. Closing arguments are set to begin Tuesday morning.

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