Opening statement in the murder case of Kamauri Kennedy

MINOT, N.D. (KMOT) – The state and defense presented opening arguments Wednesday in the trial of a man accused of killing a woman in Minot in 2021.

Kamauri Kennedy is charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the killing of 33-year-old Domonique Kelley.

Investigators say Kelley's body was found in a burned-out vehicle in southeast Minot.

Kennedy fled the area after Kelley's death, but was caught by Michigan state authorities after a chase.

In her opening statement, prosecutor Tiffany Sorgen said the testimony would show how investigators concluded that Kennedy was the one with the means, motive and opportunity.

“What evidence led them to the next step in the chain that they didn't go from there? Where did it lead them from there to the point where they identified Mr. Kennedy as the person who caused Jane Doe's death?” Sorgen said.

Kennedy's defense attorney, William Skees, countered that the prosecution was missing parts of its argument and that the upcoming testimony on text messages and DNA was being generalized in a way that made it look like Kennedy was guilty.

“They're going to want you to say, no, no, step back. We're missing a few pieces here, but they're not important. But they're important. Everything is important, and if you step back, you'll see that their case is actually an illusion,” Skees said.

Testimony begins Thursday morning at the Ward County Courthouse in Minot.

If convicted, Kennedy faces life in prison.

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