LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) – For the first time since being charged as an adult, Jenna Oakley appeared in Boyle County Circuit Court Tuesday for the murder of her stepmother, Rhonda Oakley.
Jenna's father, Phillip was at this court appearance, just a few feet away from his daughter. It’s a place Phillip never thought he’d be.
“I just don't understand how it came to this,” he said.
Jenna pleaded not guilty.
Phillip says regarding his daughter, who is still in the custody of a youth detention center, “You won’t be going to college. You won’t' be getting married after college. You fast forwarded your life. You could spend the better part of your life in prison.”
It's been a rough few months for Phillip. Back in September, Kentucky State Police said 52-year-old Rhonda was found dead inside her home.
Detectives say Jenna and her boyfriend, 20-year-old Kenneth Nigh, were found a few days later in New Mexico, inside Rhonda's car.
“You wanted to be with a guy so bad, they were together for three days and you’re driving most of that time because you drove from here to New Mexico, was that worth your life,” he asked.
WHAS11 News learned of Nigh's suicide attempt in New Mexico jail back in September and it was released Tuesday Nigh actually died back in October.
“He decided that he wanted to take the cowardly way out and not face the consequences,” he said.
It’s the pain no father should have to endure, but his hardship is multiplied. The love of his life is gone, their wedding anniversary is two days after Christmas. His teenage daughter is a suspect in her death and Philip's 13-year-old son he says is the one who found Rhonda's body in the basement.
Phillip said she was stabbed adding, “I've been mad at a lot of people in my lifetime but I have never once thought about killing someone.”
He said he finds comfort in the place where his wife passed, still living in the same home.
“I wish I could switch places with Rhonda,” he somberly said.
Even though his daughter and Rhonda he said had differences, giving up now is not an option.
Jenna Oakley's next court date is January 3.