Jalique Keene Sentenced To 58 Years For Death Of Mikaela Conley
Jalique Keene received his sentence today for the rape and murder of former classmate, Mikaela Conley.
A judge on Wednesday sentenced Keene to 58 years in prison for the charge of murder and 30 years concurrently for the rape charge. Before receiving his sentence, the 22-year-old told the court that he takes full responsibility for Mikaela's death, adding that he has tried to take his own life nearly 150 times. He also added, in his statement, that he wanted to clarify his feelings for Mikaela, saying that he loved her, but was never "in love with her."
Keene was found guilty in May for the murder of the 19-year-old Bar Harbor woman in June of 2018. The two had once attended MDI high school together and, on the night she died, were seen together on surveillance video taken outside the Conners Elementary School. Court documents stated that Keene could be seen walking with Conley over his shoulder, kicking her feet. He was later caught on video dragging her lifeless body toward a wooded area, where she was eventually found. The State Medical Examiner's Office determined that she died of blunt force trauma and strangulation.
Newscenter Maine reports Keene testified in court that he and Conley had consensual sex before getting into an argument, during which he claims she slapped and pushed him. He says he doesn't remember what happened, after that. Conley's father testified on Wednesday that Keene started out as his daughter's friend, but turned out to be a "wolf in sheep's clothing."
Before her death, Conley could often be seen working at her parents' Bar Harbor eatery, the 2 Cats Restaurant. Keene played football in high school and went on to play college ball at Virginia State University. He also played amateur ball in Serbia, where he met the woman he eventually married.