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Kessler pleads guilty to mother’s murder

PARKERSBURG — Jared Kessler, 29, pleaded guilty Thursday afternoon to the charge of murder in the first degree.

The plea agreement for 15 years to life in prison was accepted by Judge Robert Waters in Wood County Circuit Court.

Kessler is charged with killing his mother, Carol Ann Kessler, 50, on Nov. 23, 2018, in Parkersburg.

According to the criminal complaint, Kessler said he stabbed his mother several times about the chest and abdomen.

Jared Kessler told investigators he and his mother had a verbal argument that turned violent. Kessler said he then cut the victim’s neck and face multiple times, the criminal complaint said.

During the plea hearing, Kessler was asked to briefly describe his role in the altercation. “I slayed, killed, murdered Carol Kessler on Nov. 23, 2018 at 1131 Stadium Drive. I knew what I was doing,” he said.

Kessler stated that Carol Kessler had a knife and that he was defending himself.

“She came at me with a knife. I defended myself but did not have to respond with deadly force and could have avoided killing her,” he said.

Kessler will be sentenced on April 17 at 9 a.m. Character witnesses will be allowed to make statements about his case at sentencing.

After 15 years, the parole board could consider mercy.

Madeline Scarborough can be reached at mscarborough@newsandsentinel.com

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