print page
email
share this
comment
bookmark
text size

Jarka trial: Murrieta man sentenced to life in prison without parole for murder of wife

Kelle Lee Jarka, 41 at the time of his trial, showed no reaction as Judge Timothy Freer confirmed the sentence indicated by Jarka's conviction for first-degree murder.


By Jose Arballo Jr., SWRNN

Friday, November 6, 2009 23 comments  |  read comments  |  post a comment

San Diego: Kelle Lee Jarka

Kelle Lee Jarka

A Murrieta man convicted of murdering his longtime wife and making the killing look like it was done by an intruder will spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole, a judge ruled Friday.

Kelle Lee Jarka, 41 at the time of his trial, showed no reaction as Judge Timothy Freer confirmed the sentence indicated by Jarka’s conviction for first-degree murder. A jury deliberated about two hours in September before deciding Jarka murdered his wife, Isabelle, and that the killing was for financial gain, a finding that made him ineligible for parole.

Jarka showed no reaction as Judge Freer sentenced him to the maximum penalty. He called Jarka “evil” and said the evidence was overwhelming.

The sentence followed statements from Jarka’s brother-in-law and those of Isabelle’s family. Jarka continued to deny his guilt and told the judge he misses his wife.

He told the judge that one day he will be exonerated.

Prosecutors successfully argued Jarka, who was having financial problems, wanted to collect $1.3 million in life insurance on a policy he had taken out on his wife of nearly 20 years. The prosecutor described Jarka as a man so enamored with his upper-middle-class lifestyle and position within his congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, that he was willing to sacrifice the life of his loving wife to maintain it.

Defense attorney Erin Kirkpatrick told jurors Kelle Jarka was a peaceful man and a loving husband who did not kill his wife. Kirkpatrick said the Jarka’s finances were unstable, but their fiscal picture was not dire. Despite the best efforts of Murrieta police, she said, there was no physical evidence linking her client to Isabelle’s brutal death.

Isabelle Jarka suffered almost a dozen blows to her head with a blunt object resulting in a fracture to her skull and injuries to her brain, Dr. Joseph Cohen testified.

Hear statements from Jarka and the judge later to come on SWRNN.

Tags: , , , , , ,

This entry was posted on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 10:16 am and is filed under Courts, Crime, Local News, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

READER COMMENTScomment rules | moderation | privacy

Comment by: Laura Hanson Posted: November 6, 2009, 10:25 am

[["During the trial, prosecutor Burke Strunsky described Jarka as a man so enamored with his upper-middle-class lifestyle and position within his congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, that he was willing to sacrifice the life of his loving wife to maintain it."]]

There is a lot of indebtedness in the Jehovah’s Witnesses *family* because the Watchtower is apocalyptic and JW members live for the “end of this system” to save them from debt so many have poor financial planning.

Please let this be a lesson for all.

Comment by: Anne Principle Posted: November 6, 2009, 12:51 pm

Regarding the comment by Laura Hanson… “Poor financial planning”? And only Jehovah’s Witnesses have members who struggle financially? And if poor financial planning is the culprit, then why aren’t all Jehovah’s Witnesses who are having difficulty in this economy going around killing their spouses for their life insurance? The horrendous event of this man taking his wife’s life has nothing to do with his religion, and EVERYTHING to do with his character, or lack of it. A wolf in sheep’s clothing!

Comment by: Art Rod Posted: November 6, 2009, 2:32 pm

Thank you, Anne Principle.

Comment by: observer Posted: November 6, 2009, 4:15 pm

truly amazing ..first post out of the gate and it is some angry person putting a negative spin on Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Jehovah’s Witnesses clearly believe as the bible instructs.. husbands should love their wives as themselves. and should treat them as Christ does the congregation.

This subject individual obviously had no respect for himself or god’s instructions.

A narcissist as best and only out to enrich himself… this conduct in itself removes him from values of what the bible teaches and Jehovah’s Witnesses believe.

As for our JW hate monger poster that only wishes to detract by unfounded comments… nothing but a dog returning to its own vomit

Comment by: Chris Lickley Posted: November 6, 2009, 4:41 pm

Jehovah’s witnesses are basically a set of hypocrites whose members are sick and tired of waiting for the end of the world which isn’t coming because Jehovah doesn’t exist. We know this because too many pedophile elders have been appointed by Jehovah, so he cannot exist or he’s wicked.

Comment by: david Posted: November 6, 2009, 5:00 pm

Hey, what if he didn’t do it? And if he didn’t will the JW knockers reapear out of the wood work and apologize for using his religion to spread their bitter gossip.

Comment by: Cindy Posted: November 6, 2009, 10:23 pm

The first comment really hightlights this worlds lack of heart. A woman is dead, brutally murdered by someone that should have loved and cherished her; instead of expressing condolences to her family, rejoicing that a measure of justice has been done, commenting on how women are so sadly victims in this society or any other number of observations, her death is used at a platform to spreak inaccurate lies and misinformation about a group that clearly do not encourage murder or violence in any way. More hate posts will be found below but before they all clamber onto the back of this poor dead woman to promite their agenda, may I say…

May God give this woman’s family peace until he brings the victim back to his loving care in Paradise.

Comment by: Mary Jones Posted: November 6, 2009, 11:57 pm

Had a neighbour totally brainwashed by the cult, while vulnerable after a divorce.

It is a totally evil moment that brainwashes the vulnerable to collect money, and should certainly be banned everywhere from bothering people by knocking on their doors in twos, groups, sometimes with small tired children, never alone (you might persuade them back to normal).

And they know little of the bible they claim to quote - easy to catch them out, but a waste of time.

Comment by: Mary Jones Posted: November 7, 2009, 12:00 am

There are lots of Jehovah’s Witnesses who are these “wolves in sheep’s clothing” this is a cult of denial of problems,which is the whole problem with them.

Comment by: Mary Jones Posted: November 7, 2009, 12:03 am

Comment by: observer Posted: November 6, 2009, 4:15 pm

[""As for our JW hate monger poster that only wishes to detract by unfounded comments… nothing but a dog returning to its own vomit""]
—–
See what I mean?
You attack the first meaningful poster as a “dog who eats vomit”.
This is a scary bunch.

Comment by: Jason Patterson Posted: November 7, 2009, 12:47 am

Jehovah’s Witnesses are the *perfect storm of deception*

Watchtower corporation manipulative tactics:
[A.] Deny all wrongdoing

[B.] Blame the victim

[C.] Defer/deflect how other religions are worse.

[D.] Use shills to advocate your position

[E.] Bible thump

2 Timothy 3:13 ” Evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived”

Comment by: Teri Posted: November 7, 2009, 1:59 am

When JW lose an argument they resort / defect to whining how everybody hates em.

Watchtower cult leaders are cowards who send their kids and elderly to my door to use as human shields to peddle their cultic Watchtower literature.

Get a real productive life!

Comment by: EXJW Posted: November 7, 2009, 3:46 am

Jehovah’s Witness defenders always strive to unload the thickest sugar coatings over the true horrors of their groups.Shoot-the-messengers and smear the credibility of critic victims.

[LOOK -none of their trolls can ever use their real names when posting as they have NO freedoms of speech except to parrot the Watchtower sermons door to door]

JW are the Scientology of Bible based cults,really it is shocking how psychopathic they are.Jesus said that his true followers would be the “salt of the earth” instead the JW behave like the scum of the earth.

They will do anything and say anything to defend mother Watchtower…

Comment by: chris lickley Posted: November 7, 2009, 11:31 am

Jehovah’s witnesses say but they don’t perform. They go around telling others how to live their lives, yet on the inside they themselves are some of the nastiest people you could ever meet and the elders are the WORST! Total hypocrites, Jesus Christ would condemn them as Scribes and Pharisees. They secretly joined UN, avoid paying taxes in some countries, by their own standards the top dogs should be disfellowshipped. Dont have anything to do with them. They are a CULT.

Comment by: Vic Warren Posted: November 7, 2009, 6:26 pm

This man claims he is innocent, given the judial system in Indonesia, I would like to see the evidence for myself.

The only thing that worries me is the insurance, very bad timing.

Comment by: Truth Seeker Posted: November 8, 2009, 3:38 am

Kelle L. Jarka, a leader in Jehovah’s Witnesses religion, was arrested by police investigators; tried by Attorney General, and found guilty by a jury of 12 decent men and women for the shocking crime of murdering his wife by literally beating her brains out.

Those are the facts. But did you notice that of the many comments posted by Jehovah’s Witnesses here none of them expressed outrage at this vicious crime? Not one! They were busy defending the Watchtower Corporation, the organization that they believe is the only religion God speaks to as His “channel of communication”. The fact that “Brother” Jarka was appointed by that so-called “spirit-directed Organization” as a “fine example” to the congregation, and in his position he served on ecclesiastical tribunals judging others sins and actually excommunicating members.

It is left to the ones these oh-so-loving Witnesses call “evil”; “worldly”, and “dogs” to be sensitive to the shocking brutality of this crime–and the situation that placed such a man in a leadership position.

Can loyal Jehovah’s Witnesses really think that a man harboring such seething hatred as Jarka acted out on his own wife, would be able to offer sound judgment and counsel to those who turned to him for help with their husband-wife troubles? Did Jehovah God REALLY appoint such a man? Didn’t the holy spirit realize that he was exactly what Paul warned Timothy against when appointing elders?

Who among you will ask why it is that outsiders are more concerned about these things than Jehovah’s Witnesses whose own lives can be affected by a system that perpetuates th kind of thinking that says ‘if he’s one of us, he’s got to be right’?

BTW, In debate the name-calling that Jehovah’s Witnesses have engaged in here, is considered a sign that one has lost the argument. It is only when one cannot prove his point, that he resorts to such a low tactic. It is hardly what one would expect of an individual of integrity.

Comment by: Watchdog Posted: November 8, 2009, 10:13 am

Truth Seeker,
The vicious crime speaks for itself. Our sister is dead murdered by a man who claimed to be a true servant of God. He infact was a phony who was greedy and wanted something he didn’t deserve financially and he wanted it so badly he was willing to say anything and do anything in order to get it. You are much like that lying, diceiving murderer. You want what you do not deserve. You bash an entire group of people that only want to do what is right according the the scriptures. Jarka was appointed because he was at one time doing what was right and he fit the criteria for an elder in the congregation as set out by the Holy Scriptures. Unlike you and the rest of the apostate crowd, Jehovah’s Witnesses try to find the good in people and can only judge by what they see. You have the audacity and presumption to poke fun at God. I can’t even imagine the arrogance that a person would have to have to do that! God will deal with Jarka in the same manner he will deal with you and the rest of the haters of God and Truth and with God making the judgement I am confident that it will be fair and true and just. No errors will be made by God. You have the same chance as Jarka to turn around and repent from your sick and twisted reasoning. I hope you get the help you need. Chris Lickley, Jason Paterson,Teri, EXJW….all of you are treading on thin ice and your lives are full of hurt and pain and hatefulness. This system is heading down the drain. Jarka and all of you are heading to the same place as you all have decided to serve yourself instead of the True God. I am sad for our sister that was brutally killed, but she will have life again. If you all don’t clean up your act and get back on the right course there will be no hope for you…..That will be truly sad as your death’s are totally preventable. Please turn around before it is too late.

Comment by: John Scott Posted: November 8, 2009, 12:52 pm

Jehovah’s Witnesses who unrepentantly violate the commandments of the Bible, such as here, a vicious murder of one’s own wife, are not allowed to continue as part of the congregation. If this is true, and if there is an attempt at coverup, not knowing all the facts of the case, then it certainly would be an outrageous crime, for which someone would deserve to live one’s life in prison. The Bible says to be on your guard, that the devil is “a roaring lion seeking to devour someone”. In the Bible there were many who were once loyal to God, who later turned sour, such as King Saul, Judas, and Manasseh, who became a vicious murderer, but whom the Bible says, later repented in prison. So we leave judgement, rightfully, in God’s hands, for an individual who commits any sort of crime. So, yes, if this man is in fact a Jehovah’s Witness, or was, and if he in fact committed this crime, it is a horrible crime, and we, as Jehovah’s Witnesses do not approve of even hating or hitting one’s wife, we are taught by the Bible and by the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses, to “love our wives as our own bodies.” For those who disrespect this counsel from the Bible, then they can lose their freedom and spend their life in jail. Some do repent in jail from crimes they have committed, and we hope this person does as well.

Comment by: Margaret Posted: November 8, 2009, 9:58 pm

This man did not learn from the Jehovah’s Witnesses any more than Satan and his co horts learned from God.

Comment by: Gerry Posted: November 8, 2009, 11:54 pm

The Watchtower leaders are psychopaths like Jim Jones,Charles Manson or David Koresh that’s the difference.
Don’t knock on my door to pitch your cult to my family!

Comment by: Anne Principle Posted: November 9, 2009, 9:00 am

I don’t see anyone posting here who is not DEEPLY hurt for Isabelle Jarka and her family. What has been done to them by a wolf in sheep’s clothing is just unspeakably evil and tragic.

However, when an entire group (Jehovah’s Witnesses) is vilified by people who are using this situation to further their own agenda of spreading their hate against Jehovah’s Witnesses (their spiteful and vicious comments identify them clearly), then it is entirely right for lovers of truth to speak up in defense of their faith.

That does not take away from the awfulness of what Mr. Jarka did, or the pain his family and friends is suffering now.

And if you don’t want Jehovah’s Witnesses at your door, that’s certainly your choice. Ask them not to call again.

Comment by: Moishe Posted: November 18, 2009, 7:00 am

Poor lady,to die ins such a way,like an animal
at the hands of someone she loved and trusted.
Rest assured justice will be done upon whomever is responsible for this heinous crime.

Comment by: Commentator Posted: November 20, 2009, 12:45 pm

This is obvious a very sad event and woman’s life cut short by her own husband. How brutal. This guy could have very well been christian, muslim, hindu or jewish. This really does not make a difference he commited a heinous crime and should be punished for it. Now, there is one issue, which in the real world does not make a difference to any one, but in the Jehovah’s Witness world it does, and that is the fact that he is a JW and this bring great dishonor and disdain to Jehovah’s name something which is taboo in there. So call it what you will, but it is what it is and these poor souls are under tremendous stress and pressure to perform in that religiouse organization. They need to keep up and cannot fall by the way side and be subjected to ” OH looks like brother so and so is getting a little cold spiritually” well you get the picture. Just pray for them they are God’s children too!!!

Post a comment