Advertisement Juror asks to be dismissed after opening statements in Bartelt homicide case Daniel Bartelt accused of killing Jessie Blodgett in July 2013 Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Opening statements have been made in the trial of a Washington County man accused of killing a Hartford teen last summer.Daniel Bartelt, 20, is accused of killing 19-year-old Jessie Blodgett on July 15, 2013.VIDEO: Jessie Blodgett's mom testifies about finding her daughter deadBlodgett was performing as a musician in a local production of "Fiddler on the Roof." She performed the afternoon before her death and returned home late that night from a cast party.Police said Blodgett was found deceased in her bed the following day by her mother. Investigators said she had rope marks on her neck, wrists and ankles.A jury was chosen on Monday and opening statements were held Tuesday morning. Shortly after the lawyers made their statements, a juror told the judge she wanted to leave the jury stating the subject matter was "too intense."After a 30-minute discussion in chambers, the judge decided not to dismiss the juror and Blodgett's mother, Joy, was called as the first witness for the prosecution.Joy Blodgett said Bartelt had classes in high school together with her daughter and that the two had dated briefly, but she said she had concerns."I had been made aware of a kiss that he tried to push upon her that she did not appreciate," she said.The 911 call she made was played in court.Joy Blodgett: "It looks like strangulation marks."Dispatcher: There are strangulation marks?"Joy Blodgett: "That's what it looks like . I don't know what's going on. I don't know what's going on."Blodgett's mother described finding her daughter in bed and noticing her ear was blue. She said when she pulled back the covers, she saw marks on her daughter's neck and she was cold to the touch."I lifted her body to the floor, and I put a pillow under her head and just started doing compressions," Joy Blodgett said. Police found evidence related to Blodgett's death at a park on the northwest side of Hartford. A surveillance camera at the park captured photos of Bartelt in the park.Assistant District Attorney Sandra Giernoth said Blodgett's DNA was found underneath Bartelt's fingernails on both hands. Bartelt's lawyer called it circumstantial evidence."These pieces of evidence alone are not sufficient. There are other reasonable explanations for those," defense attorney Gary Schmaus said. Bartelt also faces three other charges related to an alleged attack on a woman at a Richfield Park three days prior to Blodgett's death.