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Prosecutor: ‘Unfired bullets’ link Willis to two crimes

Posted at 6:49 PM, Jul 15, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-15 18:50:13-04

MUSKEGON COUNTY, Mich. — Prosecutor DJ Hilson argued in court Friday that Jeffrey Willis established a pattern with his alleged crimes. Willis is charged with murdering Rebecca Bletsch in 2014 and trying to kidnap a 16-year-old in April.

Hilson said "unfired bullets" recovered near the attempted abduction match bullets found in Willis' van, as well as bullets removed from Bletsch's body in 2014. The prosecutor also revealed Friday that Bletsch's belongings—including her sunglasses, earbuds, and electronic device—were placed in a neat pile on the side of the road, across from where her body was found.

Both incidents happened on rural stretches of road. However, the defense said the prosecutor is stretching to make a connection between the two cases.

Paula Mathes, Willis' attorney said, "What the person who killed Rebecca Bletsch's motive was is unknown, and it is speculative. You can try and say that whatever happened with the 16-year-old in 2016 is exactly what was going to happen in 2014."

The defense said the only similarities are that both victims are female. Hilson disagrees.

"I think that you can make a pretty relevant argument that that was exactly what was happening with Rebecca Bletsch," Hilson said.

"But at the end, the court is going to have to decide that and certainly we will respect the court's decision, but we just differ on how to view those pieces of evidence."

Judge William Marietti will decide in the future if the evidence is admissible. Willis faces several charges, including several counts of child pornography and recording an unclothed person. You may also remember police said they found handcuffs, syringes, and other evidence in his minivan.

He is also the key 'person of interest' in the disappearance of Jessica Heeringa. Prosecutor Hilson said he wants to try Bletsch's murder case first and have it completed before the end of the year.