No one had seen or heard anything, and the Matthews home, which was now a crime scene, offered few clues. Pankey was found guilty in the murder of 12-year-old Jonelle Matthews in Greeley in 1984. But it was intense. And Viorst had more, based on testimony by a former girlfriend of Drake's. ANTHONY VIORST: Mr. Pankey does have a mental illness. Hicks stated she does not remember if there was one car her husband drove more often than others. After hiding her panic from Pankey as her mind flooded with his past odd behavior after Jonelle went missing, she decided to go to the Sun Valley police station. For Pankey, it might have started getting a little hot under the limelight, if you will, when the state's star witness, Angela Hicks, took the stand. That was just one day after Jonelle disappeared. In addition to appearing in Weld District Court, Yost stated she had to go to court in North Carolina. If Pankey didn't kill Jonelle Matthews, then who did? Mayor John Gates: I could see that goin' either way. His father was a Youth for Christ leader, and Pankey claimedthat he came from a family with a long history of The red-orange car was allegedly seen by Jonelle and her friend on the bus heading back from the choir concert on Dec. 20, 1984. At least they did until that night December 20. he's ran for governor two times. Greeley Mayor John Gates was on the witness list. He allegedly honked on his horn and flipped off church-goers standing outside. He agreed they were listening to the radio on their way back to Greeley. The spacious, modern Steve Pankey trial Day 5: Pankeys ex-wife, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Steve Pankey trial Day 5: Pankeys ex-wife calls defense attorney a bully, new evidence introduced, Greeley police shoot, kill armed 24-year-old man Saturday, A bill that would increase pay transparency for Colorados gig drivers is teetering, Denvers affordable housing shortfall a misery shared in cities across the Western Hemisphere, Colorados child care gaps laid bare by pandemic with never-ending wait lists, exorbitant costs, Brought to you by Prairie Mountain Publishing, Windsor announces lineup for Movies in the Park and Summer Concert Series, Andrew Cogliano out for Game 7 with fractured neck after Jordan Eberles hit leaves Avalanche miffed at lack of suspension, Weld RE-1 School District principal named best of the year at middle school level, 'We're doing it for these families': Greeley-Weld Habitat for Humanity celebrates double home dedication, Greeley Stampede set to kick up the dust with additional free concert, Weld and Larimer counties retail food inspection reports, 'Important for all of us': Greeley celebrates Arbor Day with tree-planting, new tree health dashboard, Greeley Kum & Go manager bans Northridge students from entering store without adult, Greeley, Weld County Death Notices for April 21, 2023, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. But when did he go missing? It had been nearly four decades since Jonelle Matthews was kidnapped from her home and murdered. Republican candidate for Governor in Idaho Steve Pankey ran on being a Trump supporter who espoused traditional core values with a biblical and constitutional perspective. He is now on trial for murdering a 12 year old girl. Since the beginning of trial, Viorst has argued Drake was across the street at his mothers home the evening of December 1984, making him a plausible suspect. His mother also introduced the knowledge that the rake came from the garage of the home, he said in the 1989 video. The case drew national attention. By 2002, the divorce was finalized. Viorst asked if Pankeys behavior changed. Mayor John Gates: My assignment that night was going around the neighborhood, knocking on doors asking them if they had seen or heard anything suspicious that evening. As investigators struggled to find answers, they focused initially on Jonelle's father Jim Matthews. Despite decades of ongoing police work and public interest, Jonelle's case remained cold. Barr testified she was told by an expert that the gun was un-fireable.. In 1999, Hicks was collecting evidence, newspapers and legal files, and made a cassette statement on her accounts. Her remains were discovered on July 24, 2019, and the trial for her murder began. Past statements from the Drake family gave investigators a timeline to Norris Drakes alibi. On October 12, 2020 Steven Pankey was arrested for the nearly 35-year-old kidnapping and murder of 12-year-old Jonelle Matthews. Carter served for the past three years as associate vice president of communications and institutional advancement at Triton College in River Grove, IL, where he oversaw development and implementation of the colleges mission, vision and three-year strategic plan. Anthony Viorst: I don't like to divulge my defense, you know, on national television but I don't think it's going to be any surprise when I tell you that they've got no motive whatsoever for this crime there's absolutely no indication Mr. Pankey knew this girl knew where she lived had any desire to kill her. It was updated on August 6.]. They had to wait a little more than two years until October 2021, for this moment: opening statements in the trial of Steven Pankey. No one knows where she'll spend her birthday. Hicks said Pankey, over the years, would bring up Jonelle or react strangely when others did. What happened to Carl Pankey? A construction crew found remains while excavating in rural Weld County, which includes Greeley, for a pipeline. Its the new home of High Plains Bank in Wiggins. Jim Matthews: The number one interrogator west of the Mississippi. Authorities searched a home in Twin Falls, Idaho. The first trial ended in a mistrial after the jury could not reach a unanimous And he calls Detective Jack Stotler and he identifies himself as a ordained Baptist minister. DA ROBERT MILLER: How long were you driving as you flipped stations looking for news stories about Jonelle Matthews? In 1977, when he was 26, he was accused of what he called date rape by a 23-year-old woman he was seeing. Jonelle Matthews' friends Darla Jentzsch and Deanna Ross remember growing up with Jonelle. Pankeys relationship with Christy was not pleasant either, Hicks said. Richard Schlesinger: Is that in any way believable to you? Hicks talked to officers about her husbands behavior and actions after Jonelle went missing, including the fact that he was aware of evidence from the crime scene that was not public knowledge. The police and court records of what happened with the charges are no longer available. When police arrived, Lowery was still upstairs on the phone with 911. After an Aug. 13, 2013, phone call with the suspect, he still did not make a report, but Viorst said Olson wasnt in charge of investigating Pankey. The best home improvement jobs deserve the best materials. Jim Matthews: I just kept telling him, I said, "Listen, I'm telling you the truth. Hicks testified to Pankey forcing her to cut off communication with her own father, making her stay home with the kids and not letting her drive a car, in addition to other examples of his overbearing nature. Anthony Viorst: It has nothing to do with this case. STEVE PANKEY [to Werthmann]: If I gave my DNA, that would be kinda like a knockout blow . More than three decades later, in 2019, Jonelle's body was found by a crew digging a pipeline. The only physical evidence were those footprints in the fresh snow. Pankey became a suspect in Jonelles murder the same year her remains were discovered, after Greeley police investigators took steps to modernize the case. Sometimes he was happy and other times he was moody. STEVEN PANKEY: That's the first time I heard that there was a missing child. The selection changes often, but if you love good Buying or selling a home is the largest financial investment most people ever make. On July 4, 2008, the couples youngest son, Carl, was murdered at age 20, and their family came together to celebrate his life with a memorial service. In August 2019, nearly 35 years after Jonelle vanished, Gloria and Jim Matthews were finally able to lay her to rest. WebPankey and Hicks lose their son In 2002, Hicks and Pankey finalized their divorce, and on July 4, 2008, their son Carl was murdered. Prosecutors say only the Matthews family, investigators and presumably the killer knew about them. I said "I want to talk to you. Richard Schlesinger: Arguably? Im trying to be transparent, he said. And this week, the authorities announced that Steven D. Pankey, 69, a former Greeley resident who now lives in Idaho, had been indicted on Friday on charges of first The six-page report is the only writing from the 1989 investigation Olson has seen within the last decade, he confirmed during cross-examination. Jim Matthews recalls arriving home at about 9:30 p.m. and found that his daughter wasn't there. In 1989, they settled in Idaho, but Pankey admits he could not stop thinking about Jonelle. All right? Richard Schlesinger: I know that you're a politician and not a priest, but did he seem in need of an exorcism? And I had a 5-year-old son. Also, he was a candidate for a county sheriff in Twin Falls which, once again, wasn't a success story for him. Viorst tried asking Yost about Drakes attraction towards younger girls and comments he had made during their relationship. Richard Schlesinger: He wanted to run against a fellow church member? Deputy District Attorney Lacy Wells asked Sakulenzki about multiple occasions in the past when she reported Pankey to law enforcement, which resulted in an objection from Viorst. The boys body was discovered in a storage unit in the 5000 block of E. But the most talkative person in this case had yet to be heard from. Pankey told the Statesman he was sure that after police had his DNA, they would stop investigating him. Fred Smith knows real estate. At the time, Pankey and his former wife lived about 2 miles away. When Steven Pankey swore to tell the truth and nothing but the truth, Gloria and Jim Matthews were hoping to finally get to the truth, about their daughter, Jonelle's, murder. Drake first became a suspect when the case was dropped on Olsons desk in 1989. In 2018, Pankey made a second attempt at becoming governor and to no one's surprise, he lost. As per reports, the 14-year-old was kidnapped and reportedly killed somewhere in Greeley, Colorado. A On Monday, Hicks testified Pankey was less happy with his job when Ross became his boss at the 7 Up Bottling Company, especially after he was let go from his position over a legal battle Pankey started. 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. I am giving you bits and pieces of evidence that hasnt been released, Olson said in the full 1989 interview with Drake, according to Wells. The search, Pankey said, came about a month after he gave police a DNA sample. At first, he thought Jonelle was at a friend's house, but after calling around and waiting about a half hour to an hour, Jim says he called police. Until a man living in Twin Falls Idaho, Steven Pankey, became a person interest. She said a very emotional Pankey walked up He says Norris Drake, whose mother lived across the street from Jonelle, is the killer. In September 2019, just weeks after discovering the remains of 12-year-old Jonelle Matthews, the case that had been so cold for so long quickly heated up. Before Olson took the stand, he was only given one six-paged police report from his investigation into Drake. Cross-examination from Wells highlighted there were no matching shoe prints between the Drake residence and the Matthews residence to the prints found in the back of home. But as it turns out, when Jonelle vanished in 1984, Pankey lived in Greeley about two miles from the Matthew home. Who is Stephen Banke Son Karl Banke? One time, I guess their family dog was doing a lot of barking, and it was irritating Steven. Wells objected several times in Viorsts direct examination of Daviet, with many of Viorsts questions deemed leading and relying on hearsay evidence. Pankey was charged Monday morning with child abuse resulting in death and abuse of a corpse in the case. Viorst began his examination by asking if Pankey had the right to defend himself during this trial, receiving a yes response from Hicks. JUDGE TIMOTHY KERNS: Has the jury reached a unanimous verdict on count number four? He is a political candidate run Top 10 Highest Paid Female Model In The World. Doreen Schechter is the producer-editor. KELLY WERTHMANN: Did you kill Jonelle Matthews? In total, he said the word rake 11 times, compared to Drake saying it twice, Wells said. Ryan Horsley says that's when Pankey started collecting guns. Showbiz Corner Viorst asked if Pankey was ever unfaithful. He also wrote that he feared he might "get the death penalty for revealing the location of" her body. We were totally clueless about this guy. Idaho Falls news, Rexburg news, Pocatello news, East Idaho news, Idaho news, education news, crime news, good news, business news, entertainment news, Feel Good Friday and more. And, once again, he didn't come close to winning. Jonelle became one of the first missing children whose photo appeared on milk cartons across America. The next step in the investigation was gathering the evidence Olson collected to present to the the Weld District Attorneys Office. He said he has repeatedly told them that he wont speak without his attorney. It was December 1984 when 12-year-old Jonelle Matthews vanished from her family's Greeley, Colorado home. Alleged Chinese spy, Christine Lee's son worked for MP Barry Gardiner and they are not related biologically. But by then, defense attorney Anthony Viorst had silenced his chatty new client. The former Colorado man ran for governor in Idaho three times, losing in the primary elections. For the record, the Constitution Party denies Pankey or anyone else was exorcised at least by them. Hicks had no recollection of Pankey being away the night Jonelle went missing or that night being different from other nights since her husband would come home anytime between 4-11 p.m. on most days, Hicks told Viorst. Francis said her son left her house about 9:30 p.m. Dec. 20, 1984. She just loves the whole festivities of Christmas. 48 Hours: Steve Pankey was arrested for the 1984 murder of Jonelle Mathews. Prior to appearing in court Wednesday, Yost informed Viorst she had no desire to testify and felt like she didnt have anything to say that would make a difference in this case. Investigators searched the Matthews home, but the only physical evidence they found were shoeprints in the snow that someone had tried to eliminate with a garden rake. But just five days before Christmas, Greeley learned it could not hide from evil. Andersen explained the car was what people in his business referred to as a boyfriend/girlfriend burn, where it was clear the car was burned from the inside by accelerant. Jim Matthews: For the longest time I knew exactly what they were doing, and I respected it. In September 2001, Hicks filed for divorce from Pankey. A politician, Steve Pankey was identified as the prime suspect after the victim's father was ruled out back in 1984. DA MICHAEL ROURKE: The evidence in this case will prove that the defendant is guilty of murder in the first degree and second-degree kidnapping. And that's why Gates became a prosecution witness. But he said he met with an FBI agent at the Greeley police station shortly after he returned, because he heard from his father-in-law, who worked for a cemetery, that someone had asked about getting rid of a body. "One lie leads to another.". Great news for one of the cases featured on our podcast: Steve Pankey has been arrested for the 1984 murder of 12-year old Jonelle Matthews!https://t.co/sch2tDfjmy. His girlfriend severely killed him in 2008 in Phoenix. Anthony Viorst: That's the kind of thing that's happened to Mr. Pankey over the years. But Pankey used to say he was close friends with the pastor. On those other counts, the actual murder charges, the jury deadlocked and could not come to a unanimous verdict. DAY 18 | LIVE UPDATES: Witness describes pink, foamy substance found on Tammy Daybells mouth as 911 calls are played in court, High school assistant softball coach charged after allegedly sexually abusing student athlete, Teen accused of fatal rock throwing took picture of victims car as a memento, affidavits say, Two people in custody after morning traffic stop in Idaho Falls ends with car in canal, NWS issues flood warning for river, street department offers sandbags. Steve Packey is currently awaiting trial for her murder. that told me that I'd been named as a person of interest in this case by Mr. Pankey. Pankey was on the stand for two days giving testimony that was often rambling and hard to follow, and sometimes head-scratching. WebThe Pankey family name was found in the USA, and the UK between 1840 and 1920. STEVE PANKEY ["Unfound" podcast]: In 1977, I was a youth pastor at the church. The Sun Valley Police Department was taking this information to form a file on Pankeys possible involvement in the case to send over to the Greeley Police Department. During her testimony, she said Pankey talked about how the snow was raked outside of the Matthews home. However, no DNA evidence was extracted from it, making the evidence against Pankey circumstantial. The selection changes often, but if you love good Buying or selling a home is the largest financial investment most people ever make. ANTHONY VIORST: So that's why there was no struggle, all right? Anthony Viorst, Pankey's former attorney, says Pankey craves attention but is not a murderer. Ryan Horsley: To halt any investigation, to halt him getting arrested. Hicks remembers Pankey saying, Do you really think I would hurt her when she looked so much like you?. I never met Jonelle, I never met her family, I didnt know she existed or disappeared until Wednesday, Dec. 26 (1984), Pankey said. Gloria was working at a restaurant. Norris Drake died in 2007, but many thought Viorst's theory about him helped Pankey's case. Kelly Werthmann interviewed Pankey for CBSDenver over FaceTime. Steve Pankey doesn't have a Wikipedia bio, however, he has made several stints in US politics. STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: They searched this place, they took my laptop . Viorst tried to contact Hicks several times by phone call and text message, including leaving voicemails, according to Viorst. During Statler's testimony, he indicated he received a call from Pankey three weeks after Jonelle's disappearance. On top of this information, Viorst has constructed an argument that Drake was interested in young girls. STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: I knew more than I wanted to know, OK. STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: I told the FBI I want to talk to you. Richard Schlesinger: And you drove off thinking what? But Jonelle was far from forgotten. STEVEN PANKEY: I spent a couple of hours in the basement jail area with my attorney and he was talking to me about my testimony Mr. Viorst was saying to me 'cause I would give certain things and he'd say, "well, that's a good answer." Pankey, 71, is on trial for the second time for her kidnapping and murder. Last year, his first trial ended with a hung jury on the kidnapping and murder charges, but he was convicted for false reporting after he admitted to lying to law enforcement about the case during his testimony. STEVEN PANKEY: I had never imagined Angie would be as big a liar as I am. She responded he had visions of grandeur, and it ran in their family. We're leaving before daylight tomorrow morning to go to Big Bear for Christmas.". The defense attorney strived to bring this evidence into Pankeys defense from the testimony of Andrea Yost, the ex-wife of Drakes roommate in 1984 and a woman with whom he developed a romantic relationship. Greeley Mayor and former police officer John Gates knew Steven Pankey, and says he was not considered a person of interest in the early days when Jonelle first disappeared. He's had periodic sort of spats with people because he is an irascible, prickly guy. Once youre accused of something like date rape, youre forever stigmatized, he said. The rake came, "right out of my garage," Jim Matthews told "48 Hours.". Jonelles case dates back to Dec. 20, 1984, when the young girl attended a school choir concert, received a ride home from her friends father and returned to an unoccupied home. STEVE PANKEY ["Unfound" podcast]: She was 23 years old. He was suspicious of people and felt like everyone was always out to get him to the point where his dad made him go on walks to stop being so paranoid. John Gates knows the evidence is circumstantial, but he believes it is as strong as it is strange. Anthony Viorst: So, here's what I'll say It's our position that it was divulged by law enforcement. (CBS4) -- A child's disappearance from Greeley in 1984 went cold, until the remains of Jonelle Matthews were found in July 2019. Pankey also had an obsession with what Viorst referred to as murder mysteries. He loved the TV show Unsolved Mysteries and well-known unsolved murder cases, according to Hicks. Jim Matthews: They sent two or three detectives out and started searching the house for clues. Along with Mark, Barr was unaware of past gun use by Pankey, but said she gave him the old gun recently. Defense attorney Anthony Viorst says the case against his client is just a weak and circumstantial collection of strange behaviors. Owner of Andersens Sales & Salvage for 62 years, Kenny Andersen took the stand to testify about a customer who was causing problems at his establishment in the mid-1980s. The strategy of the defense Wednesday in the trial of Steve Pankey, the 70-year-old man accused of kidnapping and murdering 12-year-old Jonelle Matthews in 1984, focused on introducing evidence regarding an alternate suspect in the case. Pankey said he wants his story to be heard in case he is arrested. Drake responded he had only seen her a few times and he most likely heard his mother make a comment about her being a mature girl for her age.. He said she lived across the street from his mothers home, according to Daviets testimony. Pankey said he had brushes with the law in Colorado before Jonelles disappearance that led police to mistrust him. And on October 13, 2021, a jury was seated and ready to hear the case. Kelly Werthmann: There were no signs of a struggle inside the Matthews home he could've been someone that Jonelle had either seen before She might've willingly opened the door, let him in; might've willingly gone with him if he had said "something happened to your family, come with me.". The department issued a statement Friday in which it called Pankey a person of interest in the murder investigation of Jonelle Matthews.. STEVEN PANKEY: It was a polite way of flipping them the bird. In the matter of the burning car, Pankey allegedly told Hicks he knew the car was going to catch on fire, so he moved it to the back property. STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: I want to at least be on record that I talked to you, so I don't get possibly an obstruction of justice charge. ANGELA HICKS: And one of the things notated in his handwriting on this piece of legal paper was snow outside the Matthews house was raked. Hicks on Monday said Pankey acted suspiciously in the days following Jonelles disappearance, including making their family leave town, fixating on the news coverage and digging a hole for hours outside their house. As the trial proceeded, Viorst questioned Hicks about the amount of cars the family had over the years, as well as how many guns Pankey had in his possession. STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: At the time I was married. I had no knowledge," Pankey said. During his trial in 2019, his ex-wife, Angela Hicks explained his odd behavior in her testimony as well. As per reports, the 14-year-old was kidnapped and reportedly killed somewhere in Greeley, Colorado. ANGELA HICKS: He wanted me to read each article out loud to him. The detectives then left. She described being forced to listen to news accounts about Jonelle's disappearance, and she told jurors about finding a piece of paper in Pankey's trash. STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: It would be in the back of my mind about this case so I called the guy who lived next door I just asked, "did they ever resolve that Jonelle Matthews thing?" Richard Schlesinger: Why would he interject himself into the case? Richard Schlesinger: Do you remember being afraid? Richard Schlesinger: Would you let us talk to your client? His now ex-wife, Angela Hicks, took the stand on Monday afternoon. DA MICHAEL ROURKE: The search for justice for Jonelle begins today. Pankey was a secretive man during their marriage, Hicks said. Viorst questioned how Drake knew about Jonelles disappearance that morning, with it being unlikely he contacted his mother after leaving her house that night or before coming upstairs the following morning. The media interviews Pankey did in 2019 was another aspect Barr named when addressing his behavior. Jim was eventually cleared, leaving no suspects or leads. Jonelle was reported missing from her home in Greeley, north of Denver, on Dec. 20, 1984, after returning from performing a Christmas concert with her classmates, according to the Denver Post. Kelly Werthmann is a reporter and anchor for Denver's CBS station, KCNC. There were two campaigns for governor, one for municipal council, one for lieutenant governor and three runs for county sheriff.

Famous Descendants Of Richard Warren, Marty Daniel Daniel Defense Net Worth, Council Rock School District Salary Schedule, Articles S