Crime

Jalique Keene’s fate now rests with jury in Mikaela Conley murder case

Law enforcement officials say Keene raped, beat, and strangled his 19-year-old former high school classmate within 18 hours of his return from Europe, where he'd been playing American-style football.

Jalique Keene, center, with his attorneys Jeffrey Toothaker, left, and Dawn Corbett during the first day of his trial, May 21, 2019, at the Hancock County Superior Court in Ellsworth, Maine. Gabor Degre / The Bangor Daily News via AP

Mikaela Conley.

ELLSWORTH, Maine (AP) — A Maine man charged with raping and killing a childhood friend acknowledged a security camera captured him carrying the victim’s lifeless body, but says he doesn’t remember anything on the video.

Jalique Keene testified Friday that there was a fight after he had consensual sex with Mikaela Conley. But he said he couldn’t recall many other events.

His fate rested with jurors Friday afternoon after closing arguments.

The defense contends the video and DNA evidence don’t prove Keene is guilty of murder and gross sexual assault.

Law enforcement officials say Keene raped, beat, and strangled his 19-year-old former high school classmate within 18 hours of his return from Europe, where he’d been playing American-style football.

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Conley gave Keene and two other people a ride home from Boston Logan International Airport.