By ART BUKOWSKI
KALKASKA — David DeJonge will spend life in prison for killing Sarah Wilson.
A Kalkaska County jury took less than two hours to convict DeJonge of first-degree murder and mutilation of a body. Jurors announced the verdict shortly before 5 p.m. Monday, capping a three-week trial that featured nearly 60 witnesses.
Police found Wilson's torso in a swampy area of Kalkaska County's Oliver Township on May 22, 2008. Her parents reported her missing May 12 after she didn't arrive at their Big Rapids home for a Mother's Day visit.
Wilson, 26 knew DeJonge, 46, for several years and lived with him in Bloomfield Township, her family said. DeJonge was supposed to drop her off in Big Rapids before continuing to a cabin his family owns in Kalkaska County's Orange Township.
The verdict pleased Kalkaska County Prosecutor Brian Donnelly.
"I feel like it was the correct decision," he said. "I feel sad for the family of this young lady ... this is the kind of case where you can't help but get to know these people well."
Donnelly said an "interlocking series of things" helped jurors convict DeJonge: Wilson's blood was found on a wheelbarrow in his cabin and boots in his Bloomfield Township home, he repeatedly changed his story about when he saw her last, and testimony of a jail inmate who heard DeJonge say he "chopped up" his girlfriend.
"When you collect it all together, it's just too much," Donnelly said.
A sentencing date has not been scheduled.
