DENVER – The jury selection has begun in the retrial of a man accused of his wife’s murder and the disappearance of his 6-year-old daughter more than 16 years ago.
Michael Blagg was convicted back in 2004 for the murder of his wife Jennifer, and the disappearance of his 6-year-old daughter, Abby.
After a ruling of jury misconduct, Blagg was granted a new trial.
Suspect’s attorneys presents new evidence
In August of 2017, Blagg’s attorneys presented new evidence suggesting an alternative suspect who is only being named as Mr. B.
According to Blagg’s attorney’s, Mr. B is a convicted sex offender living in Montana.
A search warrant for Mr. B turned up a note with a list of alleged victims – including Jennifer and Abby Blagg.
Blagg’s attorneys say additional evidence that link Mr. B to the crime is a Gucci watch he gave to his wife.
That watch may be the same watch that Jennifer Blagg owned.
Blagg’s attorneys say that Mr. B has also confessed to killing a dozen girls, but he has not been charged with those crimes.
According to Blagg's attorney’s Mr. B discussed going to Colorado in November 2001 for Army National Guard training – the same timeframe of the crime.
However, prosecutors expressed interest in disallowing the new evidence for a new trial.
Reasons include the list of names does not amount to a confession, and there is no evidence that put Mr. B in grand junction during November 2001.
As for the Gucci watch, prosecutors say the watch cannot be placed in the Blagg home during the homicide and can’t be considered a direct connection.
Blagg’s attorneys say they don’t have to prove whether Mr. B committed this crime, just whether there is enough reasonable doubt for Blagg.
The jury selection is set to occur through Friday.