KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Opening statements in the trial of a woman accused of setting a fatal fire began on Thursday,
Kalamazoo’s Melissa Morgan is charged with first-degree murder and first-degree arson for the death of Zachary Hayes. Hayes was found in a burned out home in the 400-block of Wallace Avenue in February 2019.
Prosecutors say there is evidence through text messages that link Morgan to the crime, saying that she told people she was going to murder Hayes.
Morgan claims that she was raped by Hayes multiple times, but she did not contact police about it or submit to a rape kit test. Prosecutors say that her testimony does not add up.
On Thursday, January 23rd lawyers for the defense argued that Morgan was friends with Hayes, and was at his home in the hours prior to his death. Following a heated exchange while intoxicated, Defense Attorney Eusebio Solis says that Hayes held Morgan down and repeatedly raped her.
During a preliminary examination in July 2019, Hayes neighbor Trevor Kuhnle said he was at the victim’s house the night before where he found Morgan and friend Justin Flegel on the couch, while Hayes was passed out in a seperate room.
Kuhnle says that Morgan said she was raped but was hesitant to call police because of multiple outstanding felony warrants issued for her.
Surveillance videos from the incident show Morgan leaving the burning home with her boyfriend Justin Flegel, who said he came to the home because Morgan texted him about the rapes.
Originally a person of interest in the case, Morgan was formally charged last June.
