HighPlainsDrifter
New member
The Donald Lee Rolle murder trial began on September 8th, 2008. For those very few that may not be aware, Donald Rolle murdered my little sister on the night of November 3rd or the early morning hours of November 4th, 2007. Donald Rolle ha been charged with Kidnapping, Felony murder during the commission of a Kidnapping and 1st Degree murder. The District Attorney is seeking the death penelty in the case for two of the three counts. Donald Rolle and my sister, Jennifer Randel, were in a dating relationship.
The first week of the trial was the Voir Dire stage which in laymans terms means the selection of a jury for the trial. The trial started with opening arguments on September 15th. Shortly after the opening arguments, the prosecution played a roughly 9 minute long 911 tape that my sister made the night she was abducted. They called me as the second witness to testify to who's voices I heard on the tape. The tape was not pleasant and it was hard to listen to the screaming, crying and the terror in her voice.
The trial progressed during the week with the prosecution calling their witnesses. Many witnesses from the events of that night but also some witnesses that testified of the abusive nature of Mr. Rolle towards my sister and past girlfriends. Mr Rolle had hurt several different partners, including my sister over the years. Some he was criminally charged and some went unreported, so he was not. The prosecutions witnesses culminated with the calling of the County Coronor and forensic pathologist, Doctor James Thorpen on Friday September 19th. My sister litterally had injuries from the bottom of her feet to the top of her head and every place in between. Bruising, contusions and lacerations were present everywhere to include a broken rib. She was strangled, stabbed (once in the neck below the right ear) and struck repeatedly about the head, neck and face. Unfortunately, the cause of death was the blunt force trauma to her head which caused her brain to swell to the point that body function ceased. This means that her death was not quick but she litterally took hours to die.
The brutality of this crime is beyond my comprehension even as a 19 year Police Veteran. Before the trial, I was privy to the crime scene photos, autopsie photos and I viewed her body at the funeral home. She was in such bad shape that I did not allow anyone in my family to view her, including my parents. After seeing her, I ordered her to be cremated immediately. Since I knew what was coming, I listened to the testimony of the Coronor but I did not allow my parents in the courtroom for that portion. They did not need to hear or see any of that stuff.
The prosecution rested their case at the end of the day, September 19. The jury was dismissed and the defense made a motion for the judge to consider outside of the presence of the jury. The defense made a motion for the dismisal of all three charges stating that there was no evidence presented that supported a charge of kidnapping and that the prosecution failed to present any evidence of premeditation to support 1st Degree Murder. The judge denied the motion. As much as this angered me, I understood the motion. The defense needs to do things like that so Mr. Rolle cannot appeal a possible conviction with claims he did not receive a viable defense. The trial resumes Monday morning with the presentation of witnesses by the defense. I will periodically update this thread for those that are interested. I appreciatte the suport of all who have shown it and especially from those on this site whom I call a friend.
My sister was 40 years of age at the time of her death. She was a beautiful, vibrant woman. She was 4'-11" tall and weighed 110 lbs soaking wet with her clothes on. Her assailant was 5'-11" and weighs about 190 lbs. Your continued thoughts and prayers are appreciatted for my family, my sister and most of all for justice. I have enclosed a picture of my sister taken very shortly before her death so those that are interested my put a face to the name. Rest in peace Jennifer. I hope you know I loved you.
Edited to add a link to the story archive as this case has progressed from November 4th, 2007 until present.
http://www.trib.com/randel/
The first week of the trial was the Voir Dire stage which in laymans terms means the selection of a jury for the trial. The trial started with opening arguments on September 15th. Shortly after the opening arguments, the prosecution played a roughly 9 minute long 911 tape that my sister made the night she was abducted. They called me as the second witness to testify to who's voices I heard on the tape. The tape was not pleasant and it was hard to listen to the screaming, crying and the terror in her voice.
The trial progressed during the week with the prosecution calling their witnesses. Many witnesses from the events of that night but also some witnesses that testified of the abusive nature of Mr. Rolle towards my sister and past girlfriends. Mr Rolle had hurt several different partners, including my sister over the years. Some he was criminally charged and some went unreported, so he was not. The prosecutions witnesses culminated with the calling of the County Coronor and forensic pathologist, Doctor James Thorpen on Friday September 19th. My sister litterally had injuries from the bottom of her feet to the top of her head and every place in between. Bruising, contusions and lacerations were present everywhere to include a broken rib. She was strangled, stabbed (once in the neck below the right ear) and struck repeatedly about the head, neck and face. Unfortunately, the cause of death was the blunt force trauma to her head which caused her brain to swell to the point that body function ceased. This means that her death was not quick but she litterally took hours to die.
The brutality of this crime is beyond my comprehension even as a 19 year Police Veteran. Before the trial, I was privy to the crime scene photos, autopsie photos and I viewed her body at the funeral home. She was in such bad shape that I did not allow anyone in my family to view her, including my parents. After seeing her, I ordered her to be cremated immediately. Since I knew what was coming, I listened to the testimony of the Coronor but I did not allow my parents in the courtroom for that portion. They did not need to hear or see any of that stuff.
The prosecution rested their case at the end of the day, September 19. The jury was dismissed and the defense made a motion for the judge to consider outside of the presence of the jury. The defense made a motion for the dismisal of all three charges stating that there was no evidence presented that supported a charge of kidnapping and that the prosecution failed to present any evidence of premeditation to support 1st Degree Murder. The judge denied the motion. As much as this angered me, I understood the motion. The defense needs to do things like that so Mr. Rolle cannot appeal a possible conviction with claims he did not receive a viable defense. The trial resumes Monday morning with the presentation of witnesses by the defense. I will periodically update this thread for those that are interested. I appreciatte the suport of all who have shown it and especially from those on this site whom I call a friend.
My sister was 40 years of age at the time of her death. She was a beautiful, vibrant woman. She was 4'-11" tall and weighed 110 lbs soaking wet with her clothes on. Her assailant was 5'-11" and weighs about 190 lbs. Your continued thoughts and prayers are appreciatted for my family, my sister and most of all for justice. I have enclosed a picture of my sister taken very shortly before her death so those that are interested my put a face to the name. Rest in peace Jennifer. I hope you know I loved you.
Edited to add a link to the story archive as this case has progressed from November 4th, 2007 until present.
http://www.trib.com/randel/
Last edited by a moderator:
