Dec. 16, 2022 10:15a
(WGTD)---The last pre-trial hearing in the Mark Jensen retrial was held Friday.
Judge Anthony Milisauskas confirmed that a key piece of evidence that was used to convict Jensen of killing his wife Julie--possibly with antifreeze-- won't be allowed into evidence in the new trial. A so-called letter 'from-the-grave' that Mrs. Jensen wrote asking authorities to look at her husband if anything happened to her was used to convict Jensen some 15 years ago.
Since then, the case has gone up and down the appeal ladder.
In court Friday, Milisauskas indicated that his ruling against the use of the letter was in line with the latest decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court on the issues involved.
Jensen's first trial drew national attention.
All along, Jensen's parents have stood behind their son and were in court Friday as well.
Jensen's father drew the momentary ire of the judge when he yelled out at the beginning of the proceeding that he couldn't hear, then made a snide comment. Milisauskas ordered him out of the courtroom. When he remained in his seat, Milisauskas summoned a deputy, who then started to lead the elder Jensen out of the courtroom.
When he saw Jensen moving slowly with the help of a walker, Milisauskas changed his mind about the ejection. Jensen and his wife were then outfitted with earbuds and a transmitter tied directly to the court's sound system and the hearing proceeded.
Jury selection is what's expected to be a lengthy trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 9.
-0-