- Posted August 08, 2011
- Tweet This | Share on Facebook
Man to stand trial in daughter's beating death

ROCHESTER HILLS (AP) -- A judge ordered an Oakland County psychologist to stand trial in the baseball bat beating death of his 20-year-old daughter in their Oxford home.
Robert Kelly, 52, was bound over last Thursday to Oakland County Circuit Court on a charge of first-degree premeditated murder by Rochester Hills District Judge Lisa Asadoorian.
Julie Roberts testified about finding her daughter on a bed in the house Megan Roberts shared with her father.
"I walked back and yelled my daughter's name twice," Julie Roberts said. "I opened the door, saw her and called 911.
"I told them to find a red Cobalt; to find her dad because I figured he did it."
Roberts had only been married to Kelly about 11 months. She was visiting their daughter at the home when Megan Roberts was beaten.
About the time Julie Roberts called 911 Kelly walked into a local police station and told a dispatcher there had been an assault at his home.
"I asked him if he knew who did it," Oxford Village dispatcher Tony Van Houten testified. "And he stated, 'Yes. I did.'"
Megan Roberts fell into a coma and died last month.
"He's charged with hurting the one person he loves the most," defense attorney Sanford Schulman said last Thursday of Kelly. "He snapped. It's a vague memory."
Schulman said Kelly had been on Xanax and wrote a suicide note. Xanax often is used to treat people with panic disorder.
Published: Mon, Aug 8, 2011
headlines Oakland County
- Whitmer signs gun violence prevention legislation
- Department of Attorney General conducts statewide warrant sweep, arrests 9
- Adoptive families across Michigan recognized during Adoption Day and Month
- Reproductive Health Act signed into law
- Case study: Documentary highlights history of courts in the Eastern District
headlines National
- Oscar vs. Jeff: Trial lawyers and appellate counsel do different jobs, and it may show in their writing
- ‘Can a killer look like a granny?’ Prosecutor poses questions as mother-in-law of slain law prof goes on trial
- ILTACON 2025: The Wild, Wild West of legal tech
- After striking deal with Trump, this BigLaw firm worked with liberal groups to secure pro bono wins in 2 cases
- ‘Early decision conspiracy’ among top colleges is an antitrust violation, suit alleges
- Striking the Balance: How to make alternative fee arrangements work for everyone