Her whereabouts remained a mystery for more than 35 years until her remains were discovered in 2019. But his political ambitions grew, and he became a serial candidate. Norris Drake. Richard Schlesinger: Oh, to cover them up. Wells had to reword her questions to receive only yes or no responses about the witness reports. He said he was charged over his years in Colorado with as many as 20 other arbitrary misdemeanors, such as battery and harassment by phone, and went to trial multiple times. Pankey made an unusual witness in his own defense. And we just had a very full life. He was surprised when they didnt. They describe mostly minor and non-violent allegations, like creating a nuisance and harassment. "[T]here's no indication that he committed this murder, no indication that he had anything to do with burying the body. Kelly Werthmann: I think it's, it's her word against his. Hicks also stated in her testimony that Pankey banned radio, TV and news from their household around the time Jonelle went missing. STEVEN PANKEY: He told me that a cop had contacted him and said that he had a body he wanted to be buried. Isn't it? But denied he was obsessed with the news. Richard Schlesinger: He wanted to run against a fellow church member? After prosecutors finished up their direct examination of Pankeys ex-wife Angela Hicks, defense attorney Anthony Viorst had his chance to speak with the witness on Tuesday. Kelly Werthmann: To not have that definitive answer It's frustrating. In his closing argument, Viorst, who's a lawyer, not a psychiatrist, raised serious questions about his client's mental health. Until a man living in Twin Falls Idaho, Steven Pankey, became a person interest. When police arrived, Lowery was still upstairs on the phone with 911. They returned to Colorado on Dec. 26, 1984, he said, and heard the news of a missing child on the radio. 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The media interviews Pankey did in 2019 was another aspect Barr named when addressing his behavior. Steve Pankey, person of interest in Colorado murder cold case That's when Jonelle went to sing in a school choir concert. Over the phone, Pankey said he was a pastor from a Baptist church. He agreed they were listening to the radio on their way back to Greeley. Doreen Schechter is the producer-editor. Pankey told the Statesman he was sure that after police had his DNA, they would stop investigating him. Pankey said he left Greeley in 1987 and hasnt been back to Colorado since. Hicks reflected back to that moment, during her testimony, when she heard him say, I hope God didnt allow this to happen because of Jonelle Matthews.. Yost said this attorney was intimidating, and she felt threatened by his statements. 48 Hours: Who Killed Jonelle Matthews In 1984? - CBS Colorado Hicks stated Viorst, sounded like a bully in the first voicemail, which is why she never returned his calls. Pankey's ex-wife remembers him mentioning Jonelle Moroever, the case remained hanging for more than 35 years until the remains of the young girl were discovered in 2019. Pankeys relationship with Christy was not pleasant either, Hicks said. Prosecutors say only the Matthews family, investigators and presumably the killer knew about them. Mark told Viorst he had no recollection of a red-orange car, which multiple people testified seeing Pankey drive, including Hicks. Viorst asked if Pankeys behavior changed. For the family of Jonelle Matthews, the news was so devastating they didn't want to discuss it. In 1999 he told the Idaho Supreme Court, after a conviction for once again causing a scene in a bank, that the conviction which was dismissed years later was in part an "attempt to force" him "to become an informant" in Jonelle's disappearance. Marshals Service and Montgomery County Police. When it comes to landscape Did you know Your Butcher, Frank has super tasty delicatessen salads? Steve Pankey Remember those footprints in the snow that somebody, possibly Jonelle's abductor, tried to conceal using a garden rake? As investigators struggled to find answers, they focused initially on Jonelle's father Jim Matthews. Pankey was charged Monday morning with child abuse resulting in death and abuse of a corpse in the case. Mitch McConnell is a U.S. Senate Republican Leader. Richard Schlesinger: What did you think of him? They never released the information about the rake. 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. Barr testified she was told by an expert that the gun was un-fireable.. Viorst tried to contact Hicks several times by phone call and text message, including leaving voicemails, according to Viorst. JUDGE TIMOTHY KERNS: I realize the jury was unable to reach a verdict on the other counts and that is a perfectly acceptable way for a trial to conclude. Connie Daviet, who was staying at her brothers house the night of Jonelles disappearance, was a key witness on Wednesday. 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 Around that same time, Steven Pankey, his young son and his wife, who was pregnant with their second son, also left Greeley. The most Pankey families were found in USA in 1880. Richard Schlesinger: What do you think happened to your sister? WebPankey and Hicks lose their son In 2002, Hicks and Pankey finalized their divorce, and on July 4, 2008, their son Carl was murdered. Or was he one that just surrounded himself with strange, bizarre behavior for years? ANTHONY VIORST: He lives in a world of conspiracy, paranoia and low self-esteem. He told Yost that virgins have firm breasts, and she said he wrote a song about this topic. Upon reviewing the full case, Olson testified to finding a supplement containing an account from Francis Drake, Norris Drakes mother. I mean . Steven Dana Pankey took Jonelle Matthews from her family home, 320 43rd Avenue Court, without her consent and against her will on December 20, 1984 between And on October 13, 2021, a jury was seated and ready to hear the case. Around that same time, Steven Pankey, his young son and his wife, who was pregnant with their second son, also left Greeley. Hicks reported that was the only time she saw that much emotion from Pankey, as he kneeled down to kiss the urn. She explained her brother was upset Drake had not returned his truck before midnight, the time both siblings went to bed. It was agony for Jonelle's mother Gloria, who could no longer hope her daughter would come home. 48 Hours: Steve Pankey was arrested for the 1984 murder of Jonelle Mathews. It's emotional. During cross-examination, Viorst argued Pankey was not secretive when it came to the idea police were persecuting him for information, and how she testified she didnt suspect him to have involvement until 1999. Pankey is a representative of the Republican Party. Pankey was home with his family when Jonelle went missing, Viorst said, and he did not own a gun at the time. Additionally, she contacted friends with the Englewood police about the case a few weeks after her disappearance. Viorst asked if Pankey was ever unfaithful. Jim Matthews: You have to go on with life. Pankey depicted this notion of enemies when he made Christy the villain in his fiction writings, according to assistant district attorney Robb Miller. 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. Barr explained what Pankey was like as a kid, claiming her brother had problems, including: Barr admitted to paying for Pankeys bills and seeing a subscription to broadcasts about cold case murders, which Viorst has used as an argument to defend Pankeys obsession in the Jonelle case as part of a larger true crime obsession. He said he moved to Greeley in 1973. When Drake woke up the next day, he came upstairs and asked if the Daviets had heard about Jonelles disappearance. Richard Schlesinger: Do you remember being afraid? You can't let this consume you. When Pankey was near the urn, Sakulenzki recalled he said something, but she didnt remember the exact words he used. STEVEN PANKEY: It was a polite way of flipping them the bird. All right? STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: He told me that a cop had contacted him and said that he had a body he wanted to be buried. His mother also introduced the knowledge that the rake came from the garage of the home, he said in the 1989 video. Gloria Matthews: We are going to know that she was murdered [crying]. Steven Pankey Part 2 His now ex-wife, Angela Hicks, took the stand on Monday afternoon. But over the years there was even more strange behavior, moments that, authorities believe add up to circumstantial evidence. Afterwards she got a ride home with Deanna Ross and Deanna's father. DA MICHAEL ROURKE [to reporters]: It is with great honor today that we announce that the grand jury indicted an individual named Steven Dana Pankey for the kidnapping and murder of Jonelle Matthews. Pankeys eldest son has no recollection of this ban and remembers watching TV with his parents, he said during his short time on the stand. BOISE (Idaho Statesman) A former candidate for Idaho governor says he is under investigation in the killing of a 12-year-old girl in Colorado 35 years ago. What Happened During Steve Pankeys It was Steven Pankey who started talking to just about anyone who would listen, including CBS affiliate KMVT. STEVE PANKEY ["Unfound" podcast]: She was 23 years old. 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. The man, who tried to threaten Justice Brett Kavanaugh with his life, was arrested with the joint efforts of the U.S. He told that if his Republicans gain control of the 56-year-old Lord David Frost shocked the British people after his sudden departure from his position as the Brexit minister. And I heard on the car radio that a girl was missing from Greeley, Colorado. Of course, the prosecution also has Pankey's own words. he's a firm adherent to the Ten Commandments, which include thou shalt not kill. That was our sign that she made it inside and everything's fine. Pankey's defense offered a different theory. Andersen said he remembers the car being reddish, but he could not swear to this statement either. He mentioned Jonelle in a speech about missing children. And she could not go on with hers. But Pankey might have been more than just curious. Fred Smith knows real estate. The selection changes often, but if you love good Buying or selling a home is the largest financial investment most people ever make. Since Jonelles disappearance, Pankey said, investigators have asked multiple times to talk to him about her. Phoenix New Times Pankey's ex-wife remembers him mentioning Jonelle Matthews They've got rifles and they're pointing them at me. This type of car fire is unusual, according to Andersen. STEVEN PANKEY: I wanna back up a little bit. Pankey Police won't directly confirm any of that. Steven Pankey Indictment in Jonelle Matthews Murder Update Anthony Viorst: He argued with a bank teller and the police were called. DA MICHAEL ROURKE The truest thing you've ever said is you're a master manipulator, right? Reward offered as manhunt for Texas shooting suspect reaches "dead end", Louisiana's health care deserts put women, babies at risk, doctors say, How a tall Texan became an unlikely Australian rules football star, Second convoy of U.S. citizens fleeing Khartoum arrives at Port Sudan, ISIS chief killed by Turkey's intelligence agency, Erdogan says, General Mills issues Gold Medal flour recall over salmonella concerns, Investors sue Adidas over Kanye West Yeezy deal, Tornado flips cars, downs trees after touching down in South Florida, Shaquil Barrett's 2-year-old daughter dies in drowning accident. STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: At the time I was married. STEVEN PANKEY: In the little jail cubicle before coming up here, I was praying and I was thinking, God, maybe I shouldn't testify Because I'd be just telling more lies. LOCAL NEWS REPORT: A major development to tell you about in a mystery that is more than three decades old. According to attorney Anthony Viorst, the person who killed Jonelle was someone she knew. They were found just outside the house. 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. STEVEN PANKEY: one lie leads to another. He does. Its the new home of High Plains Bank in Wiggins. Russel Ross and Pastor James Christys names surfaced during the formation of Pankeys file. Hicks remembers Pankey saying, Do you really think I would hurt her when she looked so much like you?. With no real evidence of what happened to the 12-year-old, the case went cold. Jim Matthews: She was interested in any kind of performing thing. Ken Blum and Jud Johnston are the editors. How Many Games Are Played In The First Round Of The NHL Playoffs. Mayor John Gates: I remember that night like it was yesterday. But Angela Hicks says that day, her ex-husband was obsessed making her flip the dial in search of news about Jonelle's disappearance. He just does, for whatever reason. Steve Pankey I remember being afraid. Past statements from the Drake family gave investigators a timeline to Norris Drakes alibi. Hicks continued testifying from early Tuesday morning into the afternoon, and is subject to be recalled back to testify again, according to Judge Timothy Kerns. For 23 years, Hicks was married to 71-year-old Steve Pankey, who was found guilty of kidnapping and murdering 12-year-old Jonelle Matthews in 1984. 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. Kevin Schneider says he met the Pankey family when they first moved to Idaho. Several reports say that he endured the death of his son but the details are unconfirmed. Then she saw Hicks reaction to what Pankey said, and according to Sakulenzki, Hicks face was shocked and had a look that said, Drop it.. At the time, Pankey was a youth minister at Sunny View Church of the Nazarene in Greeley. STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: They've got full SWAT gear on. The retrial of Steven Pankey is scheduled for October 4, 2022. But Jim Matthews, who joined that same church not long after Pankey left, says there's another commandment Pankey seems to be having trouble with: thou shalt not bear false witness. STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: I contacted the Fort Collins FBI office. And she got really concerned when she found a note in the trash. He was a person who sure was interested in the case. In 2001, Pankey's wife filed for divorce, and he moved to Shoshone, Idaho, where in 2004 without any experience with law enforcement, other than being arrested, he ran for sheriff. Don't accuse me . In response, Mark testified his father did not change and their relationship remained the same. She further stated Pankey seems to want the attention.. WebCommonly after shootings, we hear families of the victims call for more gun control. he's ran for governor two times. On July 23, 2019, the remains of Jonelle Matthews were discovered by an excavation crew digging a pipeline in a rural area southeast of Greeley, Colorado. An attorney in North Carolina said if she didnt show up for the Pankey trial as a witness, she would go to jail. In the interview played in court, Olson was the first one to bring up the shoe prints. There was one occasion where he made comments about how attractive younger girls were at the pool. 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. However, Olson said he called and left a voicemail after obtaining the first letter. | On January 8, 2022 09:21 PM. My dad waited until he saw her flick on the light. "Always seemed to kind of be the life of the party," Jim Matthews fondly recalled of Jonelle. Man Charged With Murder in 1984 Killing of Jonelle Matthews Once the interviews with Drake and people he associated with him came to an end, law enforcement executed a search warrant of the Drake residence. WELD COUNTY, Colo. Steve Pankey was found guilty by a jury of felony murder and second-degree kidnapping on Monday in the 1984 death of 12-year-old Jonelle Matthews. The trial for Steve Pankey, the 70-year-old man accused of kidnapping and murdering 12-year-old Jonelle Matthews in December 1984, began Wednesday with opening statements addressing his obsession with her case, his Aspergers condition and his confessions to involvement and knowledge surrounding her disappearance. Right off the bat, Barr, Pankeys sister who is four years younger than the 70-year-old suspect, identified Pankey. Steve Pankey trial: Matthews family denies knowing Pankey And yet he picks up the phone. Pankey denies he ever did that, but Kevin says Pankey's son Mark was so unhappy living at home that the Schneiders took him in for about six years. Who killed Jonelle Matthews? What her suspected killer Steve It was updated on August 6.]. Police might have been closer to an answer than they knew. Police even reported Pankey offered the same deal to other law enforcement agencies. Hicks also told Viorst she had phone troubles due to changes in 5G coverage in her area, and texts might not have gone through. On October 12, 2020 Steven Pankey was arrested for the nearly 35-year-old kidnapping and murder of 12-year-old Jonelle Matthews. He testified about a call he got back in 2019, about a bizarre claim Pankey made in a letter to the media. JUDGE TIMOTHY KERNS: Has the jury reached a unanimous verdict on count number four? And six weeks after Jonelle's remains were discovered, authorities were at Pankey's front door with a search warrant. Pankey himself would take the stand. They made headlines. In his testimony, Olson said the case once again went cold, but he never excluded Drake as a suspect once the case was handed over to another person in early 1990. And I had a 5-year-old son. And Viorst had more, based on testimony by a former girlfriend of Drake's. Her remains were discovered on July 24, 2019, and the trial for her murder began. Anthony Viorst: There's no physical evidence whatsoever to connect Mr. Pankey to this crime. Pankeys youngest son, Carl, a 20-year-old college student, was shot and killed by his girlfriend in 2008 in Phoenix. Pankey was seen in what was described by multiple witnesses as an orange-red vehicle over the years. Anthony Viorst: So, here's what I'll say It's our position that it was divulged by law enforcement. Richard Schlesinger: Arguably? However, no DNA evidence was extracted from it, making the evidence against Pankey circumstantial. The trial took place but the verdict came in the favor of the politician. But the District Attorney's Office felt they had enough evidence to go to trial. Claire St. Amant is the development producer. Greeley was much smaller then and Pankey was known around town. That was about 8 p.m. Deanna Ross: Jonelle needed a ride home so she hopped in our truck and we took her home. The Pankey family bounced around from state to state for a while. Jonelle Mathews left her home on December 20, 1984, and didn't return back ever again. It's exhausting. Pankey said he had a bad relationship with Greeley authorities afterward. Barr claimed she believed that was in regards to her grandchildren. Jim Matthews: Yeah, right out of my garage. Viorst claims that he is Jonelle's killer. August 6, 2022 / 10:03 PM It may or may not have something to do with the Jonelle Matthews case.". But by then, defense attorney Anthony Viorst had silenced his chatty new client. Jim Matthews: Hopefully we will know the scenario of what happened that night. That was one of many lies, says Pankey, meant to target people he hated, like his father-in-law, and Mayor John Gates. His mother and sister lived across the street from the Matthews home, and he was at his mother's house the night Jonelle was taken. Thats why its so important to That great looking new building in Wiggins? Hicks remembered seeing Pankey with a gun three times throughout their relationship: when he worked as a security guard at the job where the two first met, when he did target practice outside their home and when she pawned his gun in 1979. Fred Smith knows real estate. In the years after Jonelle disappeared, Drake was arrested on multiple unrelated misdemeanor charges.
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