Try these first:
Remove the battery completely
Unplug the power adapter from the magsafe connector.
Hold the power button for at least 5 seconds. You won't notice anything that happens, but that process resets the system management controller. One of the services that maintains is the battery use and charging.
Plug the magsafe connector back in. (no battery just yet)
You should get a green light on that connector.
power on, while holding command-Option-P and R.
You will hear the boot chime. Continue to hold those same 4 keys until you hear the boot chime 2 more times, then release, and let your MacBook startup normally.
After you get to the desktop - insert the battery, and make sure it is latched in place.
Now, wait a minimum of 10-15 minutes. It can take a good 10 minutes for a completely dead battery to respond, and begin to charge. The test lights on the battery will begin to flash, first one, then more as the charge continues. You will also see the magsafe connector light change from green to amber(orange).
Give it 30 minutes.
If the light never changes from green, and the test lights on the battery never turn on, and the battery icon remains a steady "X", then I will say that battery is dead.