By Kelsey Keny

Tribune Intern

Fifteen witness testimonies, 88 case exhibits, and two courtrooms later, Kenneth Colvett's trial for the murder of his wife entered its fifth day Tuesday morning.

Bessie Kay Redd Clark Colvett was stabbed to death Saturday, April 7, 2012, at her Lewisburg home, 606 Wood Crest Street. Kenneth Colvett is pleading insanity to the first-degree murder charge. On Monday, jurors were given an example of the reason for this claim when the prosecution played an audio recording of Colvett's interview when he was taken into custody April 8.

Colvett, 57, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 24 years old. He has taken Lithium and Risperidone on and off throughout the years. Last year he was hospitalized at Skyline Medical Center.

The audio recording was made during Colvett's interview with Lewisburg Police Detective Scott Braden and Marshall County Sheriff's Department Captain Bob Johnson. The recording shows Colvett was informed and understood he had the right to remain silent. He still proceeded to give his full account of the days and moments leading up to the stabbing of his wife.

According to his own words, Colvett held a long-term delusion that Kay and his ex-girlfriend, Patsy, were hired by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to kill him with mind games.

"She was trying to kill me with psychology, and I begged her not to do it," Colvett stated in the interview.

Colvett struggled with remembering dates and a few names during the interview. He often mentioned how much he enjoyed talking to Kay about real estate. He claimed she could use psychology to slow his heart down. Colvett said this is what happened before he stabbed her.

"If she had one split second to get in my head she would've killed me," Colvett stated. "I said 'Please don't make me kill you.'"

Colvett said he then grabbed a knife and "cut her several times." When describing his showering, cleaning the scene, and moving the body afterwards, his times were inconsistent.

Colvett also never mentioned driving to Mt. Pleasant that night, where he went to his third cousin's house around 8 p.m. This cousin, James Colvett, testified Friday, saying Kenneth asked for his help with the crime scene.

"[He said] I was going to clean up the blood, and he was going to move the body," James said.

He added that he didn't know what to believe of Kenneth's visit and contacted other relatives about it after Kenneth left. He said he's known Kenneth had mental problems as long as he can remember.

In the audio recording Kenneth Colvett said he believed Patsy was going to come after him, which is why he hid Kay's body.

While on the stand, Braden said he believed Colvett was acting.

"I wouldn't deny the fact that he has an issue, but in my opinion he was playing it to the extreme," Braden testified.

The jury also heard from Dr. Adele Lewis, the forensic pathologist who conducted Kay Colvett's autopsy.

Kay's had severe blunt-force injuries to her head, face, arms, and hands. She had 52 sharp-force injuries on her torso, some inflicted after she died. The official cause of death was multiple sharp and blunt-force injuries. Lewis ruled the manner of death a homicide.

Lewis said Kay Colvett's blood contained very low traces of Valium and Xanax. Both of these drugs treat anxiety. Lewis added that the amount found in the body might have seemed elevated because they drew the blood directly from the heart. Defense Attorney Walter Bussart asked why it wasn't taken elsewhere.

"There wasn't enough blood left in her," Lewis stated.

On Tuesday Defense Attorney Mike Randles said the prosecution anticipated it would rest its case after presenting two TBI examiners that morning. The defense was preparing to question the latter of these witnesses when the Tribune went to press.