Public Defender John Walsh noted its exceedingly likely Pankey will reenter a plea of not guilty. Upon retrial, Pankey was found guilty of the kidnapping and murder of Jonelle by a Weld County jury on October 31, 2022. Pankey testified he didnt know Hicks took any of these measures back in the 90s. Keeler: Avs fans, could we please skip Valeri Nichushkin, Nazem Kadri revisionist history? On Dec. 20, 1984, according to a grand jury indictment, Mr. Pankey, armed with a gun, took Jonelle from her family's home and killed her during the course of the kidnapping. [13] Steven Pankey was 69 years old at the time of his indictment. Jonelle Matthews case: Steve Pankey found guilty of murder, kidnapping Weld Assistant District Attorney Robb Miller described Hicks as a sweet, genuine person. Both Miller and Rourke agreed charges may have never been brought against Pankey without Hicks testimony to disprove his alibi around the time of Jonelles disappearance. Jim Matthews was eventually cleared. While the search was going on, Steve Pankey, a former Idaho governor candidate, made himself a person of interest by making allegedly incriminating statements and also discussing information about the crime the police had withheld from the public. Colorado lawmakers "belly flop" on water crisis, opting for further study of Colorado River over action, experts say, Colorado property tax relief: Polis, lawmakers reveal plan to ease skyrocketing tax bills, Kiszla: Avs embarrass themselves with silence about Valeri Nichushkin's mysterious absence following reported 9-1-1 call, Images, suicide note released in mall massacre, Avalanche's Stanley Cup defense sputters to end in Game 7 of first round vs. underdog Seattle Kraken, Kraken-Avs Game 7 Quick Hits: Philipp Grubauer gets last laugh on Colorado fans, Avs, Ask Amy: A gentleman ponders gender salutations, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. He says Norris Drake, whose mother lived across the street from Jonelle, is the killer. Details on the Broadwater County Sheriff Shooters. [13] She also said that after their return, Pankey forced her to read to him newspaper articles concerning the case. Hicks recalled he proceeded to make her read to him in the parking lot every article pertaining to Jonelle. His father was a Youth for Christ leader, and Pankey claimed that he came from a family with a long history of homosexuals and hellfire/brimstone Baptists. In 1975, he enlisted with the US army in Denver but was discharged precisely one year later. As the last person suspected of speaking to Jonelle, she testified she would have called the police if she would have known she was talking to a 12-year-old since the girl resembled a first grader over the phone. [13] Hicks said they returned to Greeley on December 26 and that Pankey took an unusual interest in the disappearance. A crew was excavating the area to install a pipeline and discovered the human remains about 15 miles southeast of Matthews former home. Last year, jurors were unable to reach verdicts on the kidnapping and murder charges and prosecutors decided to put him on trial again. Did Carl serve in the military or did a war or conflict interfere with his life? Steve Pankey, ex-gubernatorial candidate, convicted of killing Jonelle While sitting in the parking lot, she read him every story upon his request. All the information collected and observed by Hicks, along with a written and verbal statement from her, was sent to the Greeley Police Department. Testimony in the . After the death of his son, Steve Pankey said what was needed was "A Third Great Awakening, revival, a return to the God of the Bible on God's terms". The testimony was only introduced with the purpose of highlighting his ex-communication from the church, which bolsters the prosecutors' argument of his hatred toward the church and law enforcement, Kerns said. Pankey is being represented by the public defender's office after private defense attorney Anthony Viorst withdrew as counsel, citing a lack of time and energy to potentially go through another trial. Yet everything changed in July 2019 when excavators installing a pipeline about 15 miles southwest of Jonelles home discovered human remains. Jonelle Matthews Jim. Prosecutors found the details about the day they left for their trip in a hurry to the days after they returned to be the most compelling parts of Hicks testimony. 7 death records, 193 followers 8.63k+ favorites, 201 followers 28.0k+ favorites. The 22-day trial ended in a mistrial after the jury was unable to come to a unanimous decision on . In 1999, by the time he was just 12 years old, on January 1st, the Euro became the new official single currency of the eurozone. " I was home with my then wife and my 5-year-old son.". Pankey then began leaving documents and court paperwork on Hicks desk titled, Angies files. She said he would try to sue everyone from a car dealership to a dentist, but in his pages of documents, there would often be a paragraph or two about Jonelle. Their father began to worry and called police. Welcome to AncientFaces, a com "Thank you for helping me find my family & friends again so many years after I lost them. International Center for Unidentified and Missing Persons', "Jonelle Matthews investigation: Chronicling the 34-year search for missing Greeley 12-year-oldThe vivacious 12-year-old disappeared in 1984. Oct. 31After almost 38 years, the mystery of what happened to Jonelle Matthews on Dec. 20, 1984 has been put to rest. In October 2021, a year after former Idaho gubernatorial candidate Steven Pankey was arrested for the kidnapping and murder of 12-year-old Jonelle Matthews, he went to trial. Man Charged With Murder in 1984 Killing of Jonelle Matthews - The New Pankey pleaded not guilty for those crimes. An optical flaw was found within weeks of launch but was fixed within three years. Pankey and his former wife lived about three miles from the Matthews home and he had been a youth pastor at the church the Matthews family attended. Two days later, the family traveled back home on Christmas morning. Along with arguing Pankeys true crime nature, Harris asserted Pankeys interest in Jonelles case, naturally, stemmed from its link to Sunny View Church, particularly Ross and Pastor Jim Christys names being used in the media at the time. Steven Pankey, 71, will spend life behind . Add Carl's family friends, and his friends from childhood through adulthood. [17], A chokecherry tree was planted in front of Franklin Middle School in memory of Jonelle. Pankey, 71, is on trial for the second time for her kidnapping and murder.