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Jabalee Murder Case Featured On Dateline

NEW BALTIMORE  (WWJ) - A local murder case is getting national TV exposure. In a Friday night segment titled, "Written In Blood," Dateline NBC will highlight the trial and acquittal of Ronald Jabalee Jr.

A  jury, last October, cleared the 42-year-old Jabalee on first-degree murder charges in the deaths of 58-year-olds Ronald and Christine Jabalee in their New Baltimore garage in 2006.

The segment airs Friday, January 28 at 9 p.m.

Part of the evidence against Jabalee was based on a mysterious message in blood on his parents' garage floor. The prosecution claimed Jabalee was upset with his parents who criticized his management of the family meat business at Detroit's Eastern Market.

His lawyer said he didn't kill his parents, arguing Jabalee had a close relationship with them and is devastated by their deaths. The defendant's brother, Ryan Jabalee, has also said the entire family believes Ronald is innocent.

The lack of DNA evidence was part of the reason he wasn't convicted, say jurors who have spoken about the case. 

Some of their comments will be part of the broadcast.

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