Local man convicted of first-degree murder of girlfriend after acting as his own attorney

A 50-year-old Macomb County man was found guilty of the brutal murder of his partner on Wednesday after a two-week trial in Macomb County District Court.

Jason Ross was found guilty of first-degree intentional murder and three other crimes in connection with the July 2021 beating death of 47-year-old Kathleen Hales at her home in a trailer park near the intersection of 19 Mile and Utica Road in Sterling Heights.

When District Judge Matthew Sabaugh announces his sentence on October 10, he faces a life sentence without parole.

The jury deliberated for just two hours before reaching its verdict late Wednesday afternoon. Closing arguments ended abruptly when Ross, representing himself, resigned 30 minutes into his closing arguments.

Earlier, in her closing argument, Macomb Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Abbo accused Ross of “brutally striking Hales with a hammer” and stabbing her with three knives, inflicting a total of 69 wounds.

“The defendant hit her on the head with a hammer as she lay defenseless and screamed for help,” Abbo said.

Hales suffered torture, Abbo added.

Jason Ross speaks before a jury in Macomb County District Court on Wednesday after being convicted of first-degree murder in the beating death of Kathleen Hales.JAMESON COOK — THE MACOMB DAILY

“It took time. It wasn't quick. It didn't happen all at once. It took time. She suffered,” Abbo said, telling jurors that Hales died from blunt trauma to the head, as she suffered multiple skull fractures.

Ross had just 30 minutes into his closing argument in Macomb County District Court when he gave up after Judge Matthew Sabaugh told him for the third or fourth time to stop introducing alleged facts or points into the case that had not been addressed during the trial.

“At this point, I don't know what I can say,” he said at the podium before 13 jurors. “I'm done. I just have nothing more to say. I'm happy. I'm fine,” Ross said as he walked back to the defense table.

Sabaugh asked him twice: “Is that your decision?”

“It’s my decision,” Ross replied as he sat down.

Abbo, who raised the objections, declined to issue a rebuttal as she is legally allowed to do, she said for the first time in her career.

Natalie Abram, a Sterling Heights police officer, shows a jury in Macomb County District Court on Wednesday one of three knives that Jason Ross used to attack his partner Kathleen Hales in her apartment in 2021. He then killed her with a hammer blow to the head, for which he was convicted of first-degree murder a short time later on Wednesday. (JAMESON COOK – THE MACOMB DAILY)

Ross, who had testified a day earlier during questioning by his lawyer Adil Haradhala, claimed he acted in self-defense after Hales stabbed him during an argument.

He admitted to police that he had killed Hales and told investigators that they had “fought like men” but that he had overpowered her.

He also attributed his actions to excessive drug use.

Ross and Hales had only been together for a short time, as he had only moved in next door a few months ago.

According to testimony, Hales got him a job at a restaurant where she had worked for over 20 years and held several positions.

After the murder, Ross took Hale's credit and debit cards and fled in her red 2004 Ford Explorer, prosecutors said. He was arrested two days later in Prescott, Michigan, about a 50-minute drive north of Bay City. He was found to be in Hale's possession with items linking him to the crime scene, as well as a gun, prosecutors said.

The jury acquitted Ross, who is in custody, of the charge of first-degree murder but found him guilty of the underlying charge of theft. He was also found guilty of driving away a vehicle without permission and illegal possession of a currency.

Several of Hales' family members attended the trial.

Originally published: September 5, 2024 at 10:22 am

Local man convicted of first-degree murder of girlfriend after acting as his own attorney – The Oakland Press

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