NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. – Defense attorneys for Kimberly Kessler, the woman who’s charged with killing Joleen Cummings -- her coworker at a Nassau County hair salon -- have filed a change of venue motion ahead of her trial, which is slated to proceed with jury selection Dec. 6.
In the motion, Kessler’s lawyers characterize media coverage of the story as “pervasive,” “inflammatory” and “relentless,” and they contend the media has presented “unflattering and prejudicial” images of Kessler.
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Furthermore, the motion claims that the media coverage has “infected” a potential jury pool.
The defense lists 258 news articles, and says that “because of the extensive, pervasive and relentless media coverage of this case, it will be impossible for defendant to have a fair and impartial trial in Nassau County.”
The judge has indicated there would be more than 300 potential jurors brought to court in groups of 30. His goal is a pool of 60 after the first phase of jury selection.
As for Kessler’s participation in the trial, the judge has told both sides that if she wants to be part of the trial, she will be brought in, but notably, in numerous pretrial hearings, Kessler has caused a disruption after being brought into the courtroom -- including an outburst she had Tuesday.
Background on the case
Cummings has been missing since May 2018, and although her body has not been found, investigators said they found several notable items at a Georgia landfill.
Court documents state that investigators believe the hairstylist may have been killed inside Tangles Hair Salon in Yulee. Records provided to the defense attorney show that detectives and the lead prosecutor found bloodstains on a chair in the salon, the wall near the reception desk, a wooden display stand, a signboard, a vacuum cleaner leaning against the wall, another chair and a display rack next to the desk.
Following Cummings’ disappearance, her SUV was found parked outside a Home Depot. Kessler was arrested May 16 after investigators said they found footage showing her getting out of the vehicle.
Kessler is believed to be that last person to see Cummings alive.
The case has attracted national attention in part because authorities said Kessler, who went by Jennifer Sybert, has used 17 aliases over the years.