Kamauri Kennedy found guilty of murder in death of Domonique Kelley

MINOT, N.D. (KMOT) – UPDATE (9/24/2024 at 10 p.m.): A jury found Kamauri Kennedy guilty of murder in the 2021 death of Domonique Kelley in Minot.

It took the jury of 12 just over three hours to return a guilty verdict in a case that spanned more than three years.

The jury said Kamauri Kennedy was responsible for the death of his former girlfriend Domonique Kelley in June 2021.

Kelley’s remains were found in a burned vehicle on a gravel road, and her death was ruled a homicide.

Kennedy did not react much when the verdict came down, other than shaking his head.

In his closing argument Tuesday, defense attorney William Skees told the jury that police conducted a targeted investigation, and questioned why the state did not produce Kelley’s phone records, which may have opened the door to others’ involvement.

”The correct investigation wouldn’t have been one that immediately targeted Kamauri Kennedy within 12 to 48 hours. I don’t care about the TV show ‘48 Hours.’ I care about a system of justice where the state has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt using evidence relevant to and related to a person that establishes beyond a reasonable doubt that they did it,” said Skees.

But in the end, the jury agreed with the prosecution, who said Kennedy had means, motive, and opportunity, and didn’t want Kelley drawing police attention to a drug distribution operation.

”This case isn’t about Kamauri Kennedy. It’s about Domonique Kelley. This case is about seeking justice for Domonique Kelley. You have enough evidence to render your verdict. Kamauri Kennedy murdered Domonique Kelley,” said John Gonzalez, prosecutor.

Prosecutors had also charged Kennedy with conspiracy to commit murder, but Judge Gary Lee dismissed that charge before the case went to the jury, on the grounds the state had not put forth proof of other conspirators.

He also ordered a pre-sentence investigation for Kennedy, who will be sentenced in December, and faces the chance of life in prison without parole.

Kennedy’s attorney William Skees and state prosecutor Tiffany Sorgen both declined to comment on the guilty verdict.

Kennedy is supposed to be arraigned early next month in a separate case file where he’s charged with attacking another jail inmate.

ORIGINAL STORY (9/24/2024 at 3 p.m.): A jury convicted 35-year-old Kamauri Kennedy of murder in the 2021 death of Domonique Kelley of Minot following a five-day trial.

Kelley’s remains were found inside a burned vehicle on a gravel road in southeast Minot in June 2021. Kennedy fled the area following Kelley’s death but was later apprehended in the state of Michigan.

The jury heard testimony from 25 witnesses over the course of the trial, including lengthy testimony from Minot Police Detective Robbie Sumlin, one of the lead detectives on the case.

In closing, prosecutors said Kennedy had means, motive and opportunity, and drew attention to a series of coincidences, including his DNA on a gas can lid.

But Kennedy’s defense attorney told the jury that police conducted a targeted investigation and questioned why the state did not produce Kelley’s phone records, which may have opened the door to others’ involvement.

Kennedy will be sentenced in December. The judge ordered a pre-sentence investigation.

He faces the chance of life in prison without parole on the AA felony charge.

We’ll have coverage of how we got to the verdict on our Tuesday newscasts.

Previous Coverage:

• Conspiracy charge tossed, murder charge to go to jury in Kamauri Kennedy case
• DNA analysis, search for SUV highlight day three testimony in Minot murder trial
• Testimony begins in Minot murder trial
• Opening arguments in Kamauri Kennedy murder case
• Murder suspect charged in attack on fellow jail inmate in Minot
• Trial continued in Kamauri Kennedy case following evidentiary matter
• Judge rejects 11th-hour request to withdraw from Minot murder case