Police say DNA links Springfield man to 2014 homicide

A Springfield man was charged with murder Monday after police say DNA linked him to a 2014 homicide.

Jason T. Kumnick, 43, was charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection with the 2014 killing of Benjamin Jester, 30.

A probable cause statement says Jester was shot to death outside of a home in the 2100 block of North Main Avenue in the early morning hours Dec. 7, 2014.

The statement says investigators learned in March of 2015 that prior to the homicide, Jester had purchased meth from Kumnick's girlfriend.

As Jester was leaving Kumnick's girlfriend's home, Kumnick arrived and became upset, the statement says.

Kumnick chased after Jester on his bicycle and then returned to his girlfriend's house a short time later with blood on his head and face, according to the statement.

Kumnick was not charged at the time in connection with Jester's death.

In January 2016, the statement says, detectives collected a sample of Kumnick's DNA while executing a narcotics search warrant at a Springfield apartment.

Investigators then discovered in June that Kumnick's DNA matched with blood recovered from the scene of Jester's homicide in December 2014, according to the statement.

Springfield detectives spoke with Kumnick earlier this month at the Phelps County Jail where he is being held, and he denied any involvement in the homicide, according to the statement.

A bond recommendation document says Kumnick is a prior and persistent offender with convictions for domestic assault and possession of a controlled substance. He does not have an attorney listed for this case.

Lisa Cox, spokeswoman for the Springfield Police Department, said now only two of the city's 17 homicides from 2014 are considered open.