KNOXVILLE, Tenn (WVLT) -- The girlfriend of a Days Inn employee charged with murdering a guest could be a key witness against him.

Valentino Vasquez Miranda, 19, is charged with one count of first degree murder in connection with the murder of Alabama waitress Jennifer Hampton, 21.

Hampton was staying at the hotel when she disappeared in the early morning hours of September 20th. Her body was found a week later in Melton Hill Lake.

Rosa Rodriquez Hernandez, 26, also worked as a housekeeper at the Lovell Road motel. She and Miranda lived at the hotel with their daughter.

On the stand this morning, Hernandez testified that she and Miranda had one big metal key and a master key card that let them into every room at the Days Inn.

She testified that on September 20th, the night Hampton disappeared, Miranda woke her up around 4 in the morning and asked for the keys. She testified he got the keys and said he was going to look for a beer.

She says she waited 15 minutes, then went to the car to look for him. The car was there, he wasn't, she testified.

Hernandez says he came back to bed about an hour later and took off a gray t-shirt and black striped pants. She told the court the next day she noticed what she thought was sperm on his pants, blood in his underwear, and some blood on his shirt.

She testified she asked him about the blood and he said he didn't know it was there. She said she pressed him to see where he went during the night. Hernandez testified he told her, "If I tell you, you are not going to like it. In due time, you will know."

She told the court the next morning she and Miranda cleaned the room Hampton was staying in. She says it was in disarray, but normal for her. She testified she found a little blood on the sheets, the pillowcase, and the plastic ice bag that was in the room's trash can. She said she later showed it to police in the dumpster.

Prosecutors said in court they were informed by the Knox County Medical Examiner that Hampton met a rather violent death, and was possibly raped. She had bruises on her head and face. DNA tests confirm Miranda's semen was on Hampton's clothing, and her blood on his clothes, according to the ME.

Also today, KPD crime scene technician Tiffany Copley testified that police have received a sealed sexual assault kit, Hampton's tongue ring and a DNA card from the Knox County Medical Examiner. That evidence has been sent to the TBI lab.

At the end of the hearing, the case was bound over to the Knox County Grand Jury. Miranda will remain in jail in lieu of a one million dollar bond.

Jenny Hampton's mother, stepfather, and sisters all wore pink and blue ribbons with pictures of Jenny as they came face to face with Miranda for the first time.

Hampton's family told the media they plan to make the drive to Knoxville each and every time Miranda appears in court, as they seek justice for Jenny.

Hampton had been staying at the Lovell Road Days Inn with a group of fellow employees. They were all in town to open a Mama Blues restaurant on Kingston Pike.

Volunteer TV's Rob Pratt is in the courtroom for testimony. His coverage begins tonight on Volunteer TV News First at 4:00