Detective Testifies Jabalee Said He "Might Have" Killed His Parents
More unusual testimony Wednesday in the case of a Macomb County man accused in the bludgeoning death of his parents.
Michigan State Police Det. Sgt. Patrick Young was asked by prosecutors about statements made by the defendant, Ronald Jabalee Jr., that he may have killed his parents while sleepwalking.
"Where there other occasions where he indicated that he might have killed his parents, doesn't remember killing his parents or might have been sleepwalking?" asked Prosecutor Steven Kaplin.
"Yes," replied Young, testifying that the defendant had made statements such as these during at least two interviews with police.
In later testimony, Young said that Jabalee eventually told police he was just driving himself crazy with the sleepwalking thought, and that he didn't kill his parents.
Under questioning, Young also testified that it was the defendant who put up $200,000 in reward money to help find his parents' killer.
The 42-year-old Jabalee is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of 58-year-olds Ronald and Christine Jabalee their New Baltimore garage in 2006. Part of the evidence is based on a mysterious message in blood on his parents' garage floor.
Jabalee, who owns meat business at Detroit's Eastern Market, lives in Clinton Township and remains free on bond.
His brother has said the whole family believes he is innocent.
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