No. Jennifer Kellogg involved in the murder is a different person from the jewelry designer of the same name.
Defendants of the 1997 slaying of then 21-year-old electrician Ricky Cowles Jr. include William “Billy” Hoffman, Amy Lyn Preasmyer, Jennifer Kellogg and David Ashbury.
Hoffman used a claw hammer and a gun to kill Cowles on Aug. 12, 1997 but prosecutors have filed murder and conspiracy to commit murder charges against Preasmyer, Kellogg and Ashbury.
Preasmyer appeared to Cowles' girlfriend according to Deputy District Attorney Robert Foltz.
At the time of Hoffman's trial, prosecutors never established a clear motive for the killing. Hoffman did not know Cowles. Witnesses testified during the trial that Hoffman told them he killed Cowles for Cowles' girlfriend, but she denied having anything to do with his death.
"Hoffman was the actual killer. The allegations are that Hoffman was solicited by Preasmyer and conspired with Preasmyer, Kellogg and Asbury for the commission of the crime. Therefore that makes them all principals in the the actual murder,'' Foltz said.
Kellogg was admitted on March 18, 2024 and was sentenced to 17 years in prison.
New York based jewelry designer Jennifer Kellogg was born and raised outside of Washington DC.
She has participated in several group museum shows including the Smithsonian and Museum of Contemporary Craft. Several books, including 1000 Rings and 500 Necklaces, has published her work.
Her jewelry has been featured in some of the top consumer and trade publications while also appearing on Sex and the City and worn by several celebrities including Gwen Stefani, Paris Hilton, Kelly Osbourne and Amy Sedaris.