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The State Journal-Register
Posted May 26, 2016 at 11:58 AM Updated May 26, 2016 at 2:27 PM
Emmaline Osborne showed no emotion when she told Springfield police detectives she stabbed her domestic partner to death following an argument on May 10, one of the detectives testified at a court hearing Thursday.
Detective Doug Sapetti said that he and Detective Steve Dahlkamp interviewed Osborne after she was arrested for fatally stabbing Amanda Kern, 22, at a home in the 1500 block of East Lawrence Avenue where the two women rented a room. The women had been in a relationship for about seven months, but the relationship was deteriorating.
Sapetti said Osborne, 24, told them that she and Kern were arguing over drug use and some money that was missing when the disagreement turned physical.
An autopsy indicated 39 stab wounds on Kern’s body, Sapetti said. The knife allegedly used to stab Kern was recovered.
“She said that it got out of hand and that she had a knife and stabbed her (Kern),” Sapetti testified under questioning by Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser.
Sapetti was the only witness called at a preliminary hearing on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated domestic battery against Osborne.
Osborne pleaded not guilty to the charges, and a tentative trial date of June 27 was set before Circuit Judge John “Mo” Madonia.
Sapetti, under questioning by assistant public defender Lindsay Evans, described Osborne’s demeanor as “stoic — no emotion.” He said that he saw no injuries on Osborne.
He said he also interviewed two witnesses at the house — the homeowner, who also lived there, and his girlfriend. Sapetti said there were no witnesses to the fight between Osborne and Kern, and that the homeowner called 911.
Detective Doug Sapetti said that he and Detective Steve Dahlkamp interviewed Osborne after she was arrested for fatally stabbing Amanda Kern, 22, at a home in the 1500 block of East Lawrence Avenue where the two women rented a room. The women had been in a relationship for about seven months, but the relationship was deteriorating.
Sapetti said Osborne, 24, told them that she and Kern were arguing over drug use and some money that was missing when the disagreement turned physical.
An autopsy indicated 39 stab wounds on Kern’s body, Sapetti said. The knife allegedly used to stab Kern was recovered.
“She said that it got out of hand and that she had a knife and stabbed her (Kern),” Sapetti testified under questioning by Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser.
Sapetti was the only witness called at a preliminary hearing on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated domestic battery against Osborne.
Osborne pleaded not guilty to the charges, and a tentative trial date of June 27 was set before Circuit Judge John “Mo” Madonia.
Sapetti, under questioning by assistant public defender Lindsay Evans, described Osborne’s demeanor as “stoic — no emotion.” He said that he saw no injuries on Osborne.
He said he also interviewed two witnesses at the house — the homeowner, who also lived there, and his girlfriend. Sapetti said there were no witnesses to the fight between Osborne and Kern, and that the homeowner called 911.
The detective said he learned that Osborne was prescribed medication, but that her mother didn’t think she’d been taking it.
Rebecca Osborne, Emmaline’s mother, told The State Journal-Register on May 12 that her daughter had problems controlling her anger and that the drug Zoloft had been prescribed for her about a year ago. She said Emmaline often refused to take the medicine.
Sapetti said that Osborne was employed, while Kern was not. Rebecca Osborne told the newspaper that her daughter was employed as a kitchen worker at Brother James Court and was irritated that Kern wasn’t working or contributing to household expenses.
Osborne is being held in the Sangamon County Jail on $2 million bond.
— Contact Chris Dettro: chris.dettro@sj-r.com, 788-1510, twitter.com/ChrisDettroSJR