Jury finds Blagg guilty of killing his wife in 2001
After 17 years and two grueling murder trials, the family of Jennifer Blagg felt justice finally was delivered Thursday morning when her husband, Michael, was found guilty of killing her and dumping her body in a trash bin.
Michael Blagg’s five-week trial came to a close with his conviction on all counts, and his wife’s family said their lives will never be complete without Jennifer and her 6-yearold daughter, Abby, who disappeared at the same time her mother was killed in 2001.
“This particular situation rearranges a family — your attitude, your outlook, the way you live,” said Marilyn Conway, Jennifer’s mother. “It should. Nothing is ever, ever the same.”
Blagg’s trial was moved to Jefferson County because of the publicity it received after the crimes were committed in Grand Junction, where there were concerns it would be impossible to find an impartial jury.
The original 2004 guilty verdict was dismissed after it was discovered that a juror concealed a domestic violence incident so that she would have a better chance to be seated. The second trial featured 80
witnesses, including Blagg, who took the stand in his defense.
After 17 hours of deliberation, jurors on Thursday found Blagg guilty of firstdegree murder after deliberation, abuse of a corpse and two counts of theft. He was sentenced to life without parole immediately after the verdict was announced.
Ever since the first verdict, Blagg’s family and defense team have insisted he was innocent.
“We’ve been here before with a wrong verdict,” said Clare Peterson, Blagg’s sister. “Our brother, Michael Blagg, is innocent. And we will not give up until we bring him home.”
The defense argued that Jennifer Blagg was killed by a child predator targeting Abby, and the defense even named a potential suspect. But when defense attorney Tina Fang again tried to raise that possibility during the sentencing hearing, District Judge Tamara Russell shut her down. At one point, Russell even said, “Have a seat, Ms. Fang,” when the attorney kept pressing the issue.
During the trial, prosecutors argued that Blagg killed Jennifer as she slept and put her body in a dumpster at work. In closing arguments, prosecutor Trish Mahre said numerous blood smudges and stains were found in the family’s minivan.
Abby’s body has never been found.
Fang told jurors that Abby wasn’t found because Blagg is innocent. She said the blood in the van could have been tracked in by an investigator who left his DNA on a drop of blood in the home.
After Russell sentenced Blagg, Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies handcuffed him. One of Blagg’s sisters whispered, “Love you,” as he was led away.
Since Jennifer Blagg’s death, her family has suffered amid deep grief, her mother and brother said. An aunt has committed suicide and a niece suffers from anxiety. Conway said nothing compares to the loss of two children — Jennifer and Abby — at one time. And she lives to see them both again in heaven, she said.
“For my girls, I will see them again. Jennifer and Abby were as precious as any parent would recognize they are,” Conway said. “My world is never going to be complete until I do.”
Outside the courthouse, Mesa County prosecutors Mahre and Mark Hand thanked law enforcement officers, victims advocates and the Jefferson County courts for their help.
“Justice was done for Jennifer and Abby, and our hearts go out to their family,” Mahre said.