Craig Ingersoll back in court; Changes story about knowing Jennifer Bennett
By: Rachel Polansky
Updated: September 12, 2012
DNA evidence is playing a major role in a Deerfield homicide.
30-year-old Craig Ingersoll of Utica returned to Oneida County Court
today for a suppression hearing this morning.
2 witnesses - both investigators on the case - were called to the stand during today's suppression hearing. They spoke about statements Ingersoll gave the police. Now, it's up to the judge to determine whether these statements can be used against Ingersoll once trial begins. Bennett's sisters also showed up to represent Bennett.
"This is what she looked like, this is what she looked like, she was beautiful, she had a family."
2 of Bennett's sisters wore stickers with Jennifer's photo to the hearing. They say they want Ingersoll to see her face, one more time.
"I just want him to see that she was a person and that her family loves her and that she's not forgotten," says Denise Barrett, Jennifer Bennett's sister.
Jennifer Bennett's body was found right here behind the Deerfield Fire Department on a cold day in January 2007. Today, authorities say hairs found on Bennett's body that were not hers matched DNA from cigarette butts belonging to Craig Ingersoll.
"They were to be submitted to New York State Police Lab as independent DNA sample from Craig Ingersoll," says David Nowakowski, Oneida County investigator.
"And the hair that was found on the back of Jennifer Bennett was a match to Craig Ingersoll?" says Oneida County prosecutor.
"That is correct," says David Nowakowski, Oneida County investigator.
Craig Ingersoll first told investigators that he didn't know any prostitutes, including Jennifer Bennett.
"I asked him if he recognized the individual in the photograph. He said he recognized her from the news, as the female that was found behind the Deerfield Fire Department," says Nowakowski.
But once Nowakowski told Ingersoll he had DNA evidence linking him to Bennet, his story changed.
"He admitted to being with several prostitutes including Jennifer Bennett," says Nowakowski.
Nowakowski says after speaking with Ingersoll for about 2 hours, he continued to make more and more admissions linking him with the crime.
"There came a point when all admissions, facts of the case, had come from Ingersoll, yes m'am," says Nowakowski.
Craig Ingersoll's hearing will continue next Friday, September 14th. Judge Donalty says another witness, who was present during the time of Ingersoll's admissions, will be brought to the stand.
2 witnesses - both investigators on the case - were called to the stand during today's suppression hearing. They spoke about statements Ingersoll gave the police. Now, it's up to the judge to determine whether these statements can be used against Ingersoll once trial begins. Bennett's sisters also showed up to represent Bennett.
"This is what she looked like, this is what she looked like, she was beautiful, she had a family."
2 of Bennett's sisters wore stickers with Jennifer's photo to the hearing. They say they want Ingersoll to see her face, one more time.
"I just want him to see that she was a person and that her family loves her and that she's not forgotten," says Denise Barrett, Jennifer Bennett's sister.
Jennifer Bennett's body was found right here behind the Deerfield Fire Department on a cold day in January 2007. Today, authorities say hairs found on Bennett's body that were not hers matched DNA from cigarette butts belonging to Craig Ingersoll.
"They were to be submitted to New York State Police Lab as independent DNA sample from Craig Ingersoll," says David Nowakowski, Oneida County investigator.
"And the hair that was found on the back of Jennifer Bennett was a match to Craig Ingersoll?" says Oneida County prosecutor.
"That is correct," says David Nowakowski, Oneida County investigator.
Craig Ingersoll first told investigators that he didn't know any prostitutes, including Jennifer Bennett.
"I asked him if he recognized the individual in the photograph. He said he recognized her from the news, as the female that was found behind the Deerfield Fire Department," says Nowakowski.
But once Nowakowski told Ingersoll he had DNA evidence linking him to Bennet, his story changed.
"He admitted to being with several prostitutes including Jennifer Bennett," says Nowakowski.
Nowakowski says after speaking with Ingersoll for about 2 hours, he continued to make more and more admissions linking him with the crime.
"There came a point when all admissions, facts of the case, had come from Ingersoll, yes m'am," says Nowakowski.
Craig Ingersoll's hearing will continue next Friday, September 14th. Judge Donalty says another witness, who was present during the time of Ingersoll's admissions, will be brought to the stand.
