MACHIAS, Maine — Opening statements began Friday in Machias for the trial of Kailie Brackett and Donnell Dana who are accused of killing 43-year-old Kimberley Neptune, who was found dead in her home in Perry on April 21, 2022.
Brackett and Dana have been charged with murder in connection with Neptune's death, and both have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During opening statements, Assistant Attorney General Donald Macomber argued that people had stated during interviews that Brackett allegedly made threatening comments about Neptune in the days before she was killed.
Macomber also argued Dana's blood was discovered on the stairway and on the wall inside of Neptune's home.
However, Dana's defense attorney, Jeff Silverstein, argued his client's DNA was not discovered under Neptune's nails and said Neptune was reportedly involved in drug distribution.
Dana's defense instead argued the crime is drug related.
According to Silverstein, Dana and Neptune were once roommates but said his client moved out in 2021 and locks were changed. Dana's attorney stated there isn't evidence to connect his client to being present at Neptune's home the day she was killed.
Sam Neptune, Kimberly Neptune's brother, was called as a witness Friday.
He said he didn't see Dana at his sister's home after the locks were changed.
While on the stand, Sam Neptune said he texted his sister the morning she was killed. He said he went to her home late that morning, but she didn't answer the door, adding the door and deadbolt were locked the time.
Sam Neptune said he returned to the home later that evening and testified the home looked like it was "flipped upside down." Neptune said he noticed Kimberly's feet and bloody socks and found her rolled up in a blanket in a bedroom.
According to Sam Neptune's testimony, he didn’t have his phone with him when he found his sister's body, so he left her house and went directly to his home. He said he said he then spotted a police car drive by after he made it home and stopped the officer. He testified the two returned back his sister's home, along with his girlfriend.
Sam Neptune said he located his sister's phone, but her bank cards were missing.
During opening statements, Macomber argued Brackett reportedly used Neptune's bank cards in the days after her killing.
Sam Neptune also stated Brackett sent him a Facebook message in the days after his sister's death, allegedly saying Kimberly Neptune had done a big deal and adding that those she did the deal with "better not have killed her."
Sam Neptune said he didn’t talk to Brackett much before his sister was killed but said Brackett started to communicate with him more after she was killed.
According to Sam Neptune, there was a four-wheeler trail system that could be taken from Brackett's living place to Neptune’s apartment. He testified the trail cannot be taken directly to Dana’s living place from Neptune's.
Former Pleasant Point Police Officer Matthew Cummings also was called as a witness. He’s the officer Samuel Neptune. Cummings said he saw a dark stain that looked like blood on the carpet of the steps and a stain on the bed.
The trial is expected to continue Monday.