Ron Jabalee Found Not Guilty Of Killing Parents
A Macomb County jury has found a meat market owner not guilty of beating and stabbing his parents the death four years ago.
The jury on Friday cleared 42-year-old Ronald Jabalee Jr. on first-degree charges in the deaths of 58-year-olds Ronald and Christine Jabalee in their New Baltimore garage in 2006.
Part of the evidence against Jabalee was based on a mysterious message in blood on his parents' garage floor.
Jabalee lives in Clinton Township and had been free on bond during the trial.
His lawyer said he didn't kill his parents, arguing Jabalee had a close relationship with them and is devastated by their deaths. The defendant's brother, Ryan Jabalee, has also said the entire family believes Ron is innocent.
The prosecution claimed Jabalee was upset with his parents who criticized his management of the family meat business at Detroit's Eastern Market.
WWJ spoke with prosecutor Steve Kaplan, who said the jury did what it felt they had to do.
"Although we're disappointed with the outcome of the case, as always, we have faith and trust and respect for the jury system," he said.
Kaplan said, in the end, it was the lack of physical evidence that likely brought the not-guilty verdict.
(Copyright 2010 WWJ Radio. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
