17-year-old suspect arrested in Jenise Wright case

A 17-year-old boy was arrested this afternoon at his home in the Steele Creek Mobile Park for the rape and murder of Jenise Wright.

A 17-year-old boy was arrested this afternoon at his home in the Steele Creek Mobile Park for the rape and murder of Jenise Wright.

The suspect, who has not been identified by police, was transported to the Kitsap County Juvenile Detention Center and was booked for murder in the second degree, manslaughter in the first degree and rape of a child in the first degree.

Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Earl Smith, who is the incident commander in the ongoing investigation, said the teenager was taken into custody without incident at about 2:50 p.m.

“This afternoon, the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab made positive confirmation of a suspect through forensic evidence that had been collected,” Lt. Smith said.

Sheriff’s office spokesman Deputy Scott Wilson said the suspect will make his first appearance in Kitsap County District Court at 3 p.m. on Monday.

“Investigators continue with the very detailed and thorough process of this investigation,” Wilson said. “It will take more time to close this case, as there is much still to do. We promised yesterday that we would find justice for Janise. Today, we have reached a major milestone toward delivering on that promise.”

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