Trial Date Set for Man Accused of Murdering Woman “Because God Told Him To”

(KNSI) — The St. Cloud man who confessed to murdering a Blaine woman in 2018 has been found competent to stand trial.

Forty-five-year-old Daniel Walter Kenning walked into the St. Cloud Police Department shortly after 8:00 the morning of September 29th, 2018 and told an officer he had killed someone.

In a sworn statement, Kenning told investigators he picked up Jennifer Lee Moy of Blaine the night before and brought her back to his house. The two went into his basement, and he proceeded to tie her up and strangle her. When asked what prompted him to do that, he said God told him to because he could resurrect her.

Kenning was taken into custody and charged with second degree murder. A grand jury later indicted him on first degree murder charges, which, if found guilty would mean a mandatory life sentence without parole.

He was found incompetent to stand trial, and criminal proceedings were suspended. Kenning has been held at a facility ever since. In October, the court ordered another evaluation, and on Monday, he was found competent to stand trial.

Kenning’s attorneys filed a motion for a speedy trial, and a March 3rd date was set.

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