MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD) — Some of the statements Jeffrey Willis’ cousin made to investigators can be used in Willis’ trial for the murder of Rebekah Bletsch.
At a Tuesday hearing, Judge William Marietti ruled statements Kevin Bluhm made about handling a gun; his knowledge of where Bletsch lived, that she was attractive and connecting with her on Facebook; dumping a cellphone and hard drive; and details of the crime are all admissible.
A statement Bluhm made about his alibi is not admissible, Marietti decided. Bluhm claimed to be at a soccer game at the time of Bletsch’s murder.
Debate over whether Bluhm’s statements could be introduced as evidence hindered the proceedings as Willis stands trial for Bletsch’s murder, causing the judge to call off testimony Tuesday. With the mattered decided, testimony is scheduled to resume at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Bluhm is charged as an accessory after the fact in the murder of Jessica Heeringa, who Willis is also charged with killing. Over the course of the trial, Willis’ defense has been trying to pin Bletsch’s murder on Bluhm. When called to the stand Friday, Bluhm took advantage of his Fifth Amendment protections against self-incrimination.
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