Florida judge removes Butler Co. native Kimberly Kessler from court, murder trial set for December

This browser does not support the video element.

JACKSONVILLE — Florida murder suspect, and Butler Co. native, Kimberly Kessler was back in court Thursday after being found competent in June to stand trial in the 2018 murder of her co-worker Joleen Cummings, according to our sister station WJAX-TV in Jacksonville.

[RELATED: Butler Co. woman missing for decades, charged in Florida murder found competent to stand trial]

In typical fashion, Kessler was disruptive during the virtual hearing. As Judge James Daniel attempted to get Kessler - who was restrained in a wheelchair - to participate, she repeatedly shouted “Jordan Beard is Joleen’s cousin.”

Jordan Beard is an assistant public defender for the 4th judicial circuit. He is not Joleen’s cousin.

Judge Daniel said there would be no more Kessler hearings via Zoom. She will be brought to the courthouse.

DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for updates to this story

But prosecutors have now asked the trial be delayed until December.

Kessler’s next status conference is set for Aug. 12. The trial is now set for Dec. 6.

This browser does not support the video element.