Doreen Schechter is the producer-editor. Despite Viorsts difficulty advancing in his examination, Yosts testimony revealed the following information about Drake: In 1989, Yost had an interview with Greeley Police Detective Keith Olson in which she made statements that Drake looked at young girls in binoculars. But Pankey might have been more than just curious. The Twin Falls Police Department verified Thursday that it had executed the warrant on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at Pankeys condo in the 300 block of Elm Street North. The Pankey family bounced around from Wells argued Al Dominguez, the district attorney of Weld County during that time, previously testified he never touched nor came across Jonelles case. ANGELA HICKS: He wanted me to read each article out loud to him. Pankey's defense offered a different theory. An attorney in North Carolina said if she didnt show up for the Pankey trial as a witness, she would go to jail. Barr testified she was told by an expert that the gun was un-fireable.. Pankey refuted his ex-wife's claim that their trip to California two mornings after Jonelle disappeared was sudden insisting it had long been planned. I remember being afraid. Richard Schlesinger: Did it occur to you that maybe she had run away? Mr. Pankey loves the limelight all of the statements that he has made about his culpability have been, 'I didn't do it,'" Viorst told "48 hours" correspondent Richard Schlesinger as he prepped for the trial. If Pankey didn't kill Jonelle Matthews, then who did? Pankey is a representative of the Republican Party. STEVEN PANKEY A month, three weeks, two months, I don't know, before December. He had abducted her on Dec 20th, 1984 from her home after she came home from a Christmas concert. Right off the bat, Barr, Pankeys sister who is four years younger than the 70-year-old suspect, identified Pankey. (Courtesy of Angela Hicks) And then I'd say other things and he'd say, "well, that's bull nobody's going to buy that.". Norris Drake. Viorst said Hicks met with prosecutors and completed multiple interviews with police, but she never talked to him. Mr. Pankey wanted to be a person of interest. Norris Drake died in 2007, but many thought Viorst's theory about him helped Pankey's case. 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. First published on March 27, 2021 / 11:03 PM. After the two-and-a-half hour interview, Drake indicated he would return back to discuss the case more, but he never did. He was a person who sure was interested in the case. 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. Anthony Viorst, Pankey's former attorney, says Pankey craves attention but is not a murderer. Once back in Greeley, she says Pankey drove right past their house, straight to the grocery store, where he made her buy the local papers and search for news about Jonelle. Wells had to reword her questions to receive only yes or no responses about the witness reports. It's the kind of town realtors like to call "a great place to raise kids.". Nothing. He said he won all the trials. Additionally, she contacted friends with the Englewood police about the case a few weeks after her disappearance. The retrial of Steven Pankey is scheduled for October 4, 2022. That's what he says he thought at first, but a month after Jonelle's disappearance, Pankey suddenly inserted himself directly into the middle of this case and volunteered some information about Jonelle's disappearance. Rochelle Davy, formerly known as Rochelle Baxley, was with Jonelle Matthews on the bus the night she disappeared. As a follow up, investigators interviewed people including Drake, his mother, his sister, his first wife, possibly his first wifes father, Connie Daviet, who was his roommates sister, Dave Daviet, who was Drakes roommate, and Yost. It's exhausting. There were no fingerprints and if there was DNA, law enforcement was still several years from being able to analyze it. The only evidence left behind were shoeprints in the snow shoeprints someone tried to erase with a garden rake. He gave the Statesman a copy of the search warrant, signed on Sept. 3 by Idaho Magistrate Judge Calvin Campbell. Mayor Gates thinks there's plenty of evidence against Pankey. Drake became noticeably upset by questions regarding the hold-back evidence and said he felt bad because he didnt see anything and he was right there.. It was agony for Jonelle's mother Gloria, who could no longer hope her daughter would come home. They never released the information about the rake. I said listen, "I have been very honest, I've been accessible to you any time you wanted, but I'm getting sick of this because I am innocent.". 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. Mayor John Gates: They were confirmed by the coroner to be those of Jonelle Matthews. The Pankey family bounced around from state to state for a while. Of course, the prosecution also has Pankey's own words. He's had periodic sort of spats with people because he is an irascible, prickly guy. 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. He has lived in the Aurora/Southeast Denver Metro area since 1965 and is an expert Getting ready for a yard project? Pankey became a suspect in Jonelles murder the same year her remains were discovered, after Greeley police investigators took steps to modernize the case. His girlfriend severely killed him in 2008 in Phoenix. Jonelle Matthews was laid to rest nearly 35 years after her disappearance. ANGELA HICKS: He said, "get us ready to go. This is going to be a godly home.". Following a lengthy bench conference Tuesday, new evidence was introduced by Miller for a limited purpose that can be considered in regards to other factors, but cannot be considered in Pankeys conviction. And one of the times he ran for governor was a real dumpster fire. Politician Lord Frost is one of the most prominent figures in the English government. 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. Despite decades of ongoing police work and public interest, Jonelle's case remained cold. Anthony Viorst: It's not a good way. Jim and Gloria Matthews had moved to Greeley just six years earlier, to raise their young daughters Jennifer and Jonelle. Gloria Matthews: Everywhere we went I was always looking for her I always had hope that I would find her. After being charged, he left the position. And he calls Detective Jack Stotler and he identifies himself as a ordained Baptist minister. But denied he was obsessed with the news. Police might have been closer to an answer than they knew. Marshals Service and Montgomery County Police. With no real evidence of what happened to the 12-year-old, the case went cold. He says Norris Drake, whose mother lived across the street from Jonelle, is the killer. 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.". Most of his reports were lost when files switched over to a computer filing program at the Greeley Police Department, including the search warrant and most of the interviews other than Drakes. Darla Jentzsch: I'm so fortunate that we were neighbors. After Pankey left home, she said she was close with him, but they didnt remain in contact. Richard Schlesinger: You'd be the last people to whom something like this would happen, I would think. Carter and Pankey will begin at Stephens on Sept. 1. Tuesday, Hicks testified that a day before his memorial service, she witnessed a bizarre moment. 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 The media interviews Pankey did in 2019 was another aspect Barr named when addressing his behavior. STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: I contacted the Fort Collins FBI office. Jim Matthews: You have to go on with life. Lowery will never forget the moment police told her that her son Trevor had died. 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. They also testified this information was never made public. No one knows where she'll spend her birthday. Anthony Viorst: Yeah, they told him. And Pankey himself took the stand. His 1980 Toyota Corolla was packed to visit family in California for the Christmas holiday. Ryan N. Smith is a development producer. But Angela Hicks says that day, her ex-husband was obsessed making her flip the dial in search of news about Jonelle's disappearance. Around that same time, Steven Pankey, his young son and his wife, who was pregnant with their second son, also left Greeley. A few days later, on Aug. 19, he said, law enforcement asked him for a DNA sample, and he gave it. What happened to Carl Pankey? he's ran for governor two times. Mayor John Gates: The most strong evidence to me is the way Mr. Pankey conducted himself from the time this happened up until his indictment. The day before the service, Hicks and Vanessa Sakulenzki, Hicks half-sister, were standing near the urn when Pankey approached. 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.. Upon reviewing the full case, Olson testified to finding a supplement containing an account from Francis Drake, Norris Drakes mother. Jim Matthews: Definitely. After hearing testimony from multiple witnesses, Steven Pankey took the stand. When it comes to landscape Did you know Your Butcher, Frank has super tasty delicatessen salads? He had a friendship with a younger girl, but Yost said she didnt believe there was anything romantic between the two. Viorst asked if Pankeys behavior changed. 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. 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. 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. DA ROBERT MILLER: He's not someone that has a mental health disorder, he's a master manipulator. And she later said it was nonconsensual. Pankey was a secretive man during their marriage, Hicks said. During the tense moment in the courtroom, Hicks said Viorsts commentary in the ViacomCBS 48 Hours program that aired in March sounded shady and rubbed her the wrong way. ANTHONY VIORST: Mr. Pankey does have a mental illness. Jim Matthews: We had never heard the name Steve Pankey. In fact, the day before Jonelle disappeared, Pankey was arrested at a bank for harassment and criminal trespass. Pankeys father believed a womans place was in the home, women had to obey her husband and other more traditional ideas of marriage. Mayor John Gates: I had met him in about the mid-1970s. As per reports, the 14-year-old was kidnapped and reportedly killed somewhere in Greeley, Colorado. 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. A Daviet testified Drake went to his mothers house the next day, but he was discussing Jonelles disappearance before that with the Daviet siblings. Deanna Ross: We had sleepovers, birthday parties. STEVEN PANKEY: I had never imagined Angie would be as big a liar as I am. "48 Hours" interviewed Pankey's attorney Anthony Viorst as he was preparing for trial. DA MICHAEL ROURKE: The search for justice for Jonelle begins today. WebPankey and Hicks lose their son In 2002, Hicks and Pankey finalized their divorce, and on July 4, 2008, their son Carl was murdered. Pankey, a 2014 Constitution Party candidate for governor who also ran in the 2018 Republican primary, disclosed the investigation this week in interviews with the Idaho Statesman. 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. By Past statements from the Drake family gave investigators a timeline to Norris Drakes alibi. STEVE PANKEY [to Werthmann]: If I gave my DNA, that would be kinda like a knockout blow . You can't let this consume you. 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. Pankey told the Statesman he was sure that after police had his DNA, they would stop investigating him. Colorado courts do not have an online records system, so the Statesman on Thursday requested via U.S. mail copies of Pankeys criminal charges in Weld County. 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. Mitch McConnell is a U.S. Senate Republican Leader. Pankey says it was lies that led to him being charged with murder, but not his lies; his ex-wife Angela Hicks' lies fueled by her need for revenge. In a matter of three days, on October 12, 2020, police arrested Pankey for kidnapping and first-degree murder in Jonelle's case. Viorst believed it was possible for Drake to have left directly after the show ended to commit the crimes against Jonelle. 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. In 2008, he thought about running in Twin Falls, where he went to church with Ryan Horsley, a political consultant. But in reality, there was no sign of Jonelle. ANTHONY VIORST: He lives in a world of conspiracy, paranoia and low self-esteem. In 1989, they settled in Idaho, but Pankey admits he could not stop thinking about Jonelle. Hicks confirmed nothing was ever found on their property after law enforcement searched where Pankey was digging in their yard. 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. And then on July 23, 2019, nearly 35 years after Jonelle's disappearance, police finally had that breaking news to share. 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. ANTHONY VIORST: So that's why there was no struggle, all right? Mayor John Gates: The jury likely was conflicted on was Mr. Pankey, in fact, someone that kidnapped and murdered Jonelle Matthews? Like his father, Pankey also believed in these viewpoints, according to Hicks. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. On December 20, 1984, a 14-year-old girl, Jonelle Mathews was kidnapped from her home in Colorado, never to return. Though Jonelle was reported missing in 1984, it wasnt until July 23 of this year that her body was found, according to Greeley police. Now under oath, Pankey said it was time to say truthfully that he was liar until now. Francis said her son left her house about 9:30 p.m. Dec. 20, 1984. WebCommonly after shootings, we hear families of the victims call for more gun control. It's believed she's the victim of a kidnapping. She just loves the whole festivities of Christmas. His sister believed he shouldnt be partaking in the interviews, and his involvement in this case physically bothers her, she said. Everything to know about his ex-wife and son. The video showed Drake being questioned about his knowledge of the controlled evidence. He was the janitor. And she could not go on with hers. 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. Viorst will bring in new witnesses Thursday. Ultimately, her disappearance became a cold case up until her remains were discovered in a Weld County oil and gas site on July 23, 2019. And I think my jaw probably hit my desk, and I said, "What?". Although, later in life, Pankey started collecting guns, including an older gun given to him by his sister, Teri Barr. However, the grand jury found him guilty for false reporting only as he walks free. Ryan Horsley: I was kind of confused because our local sheriff actually went to our church. They describe mostly minor and non-violent allegations, like creating a nuisance and harassment. Jim Matthews: I just kept telling him, I said, "Listen, I'm telling you the truth. Isn't it? Viorst asked if Pankey was ever unfaithful. Anthony Viorst: There was a sexual encounter. Richard Schlesinger: Oh, to cover them up. Richard Schlesinger: Do you remember being afraid? In another jaw-dropping move, in that same letter Pankey also named himself as a person of interest, while still insisting he's innocent. He was described as immature, hung out with a younger crowd and focused on partying. As a child, Mark recalled his father never owning, talking about or shooting guns. Pankey was arrested for the kidnapping and murder of Jonelle in Oct. 2020. that told me that I'd been named as a person of interest in this case by Mr. Pankey. 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. ANTHONY VIORST: Norris Drake murdered Jonelle Matthews. On top of this information, Viorst has constructed an argument that Drake was interested in young girls. Pankey was home with his family when Jonelle went missing, Viorst said, and he did not own a gun at the time. He was criminally charged, but the charge was later dismissed by prosecutors. 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. STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: I contacted the FBI. DA ROBERT MILLER: How long were you driving as you flipped stations looking for news stories about Jonelle Matthews? But there was no rest for the Matthews. Mayor John Gates: I do. yes, I remember meeting him. Hicks remembers Pankey saying, Do you really think I would hurt her when she looked so much like you?. Richard Schlesinger: Were you a close family? Mayor John Gates: It's not to me, ah, Richard. It was December 1984 when 12-year-old Jonelle Matthews vanished from her family's Greeley, Colorado home. but he took her he shot her. MAYOR JOHN GATES: I was sitting at my desk one day some time back. Im trying to be transparent, he said. 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. The detectives then left. Pankeys overall attitude toward the church and both men involved was negative, and he would get angry when their names would come up in conversation, according to Hicks. Hicks also told Viorst she had phone troubles due to changes in 5G coverage in her area, and texts might not have gone through. It's emotional. Hicks described their relationship as bitter enemies.. Kelly Werthmann: He really wanted to make himself clear that he was framed. Greeley's Mayor John Gates was 27 years old at the time, and a police officer. At least they did until that night December 20. In 2020, Steven Pankey, who says he never met Jonelle, was charged with murder after repeatedly making public statements that inserted him into the case, including drawing up a list of persons of interest with his own name on it. Thats why its so important to That great looking new building in Wiggins? However, no DNA evidence was extracted from it, making the evidence against Pankey circumstantial. Daviet further testified that Norris told her about a scenario he thought might have happened to Jonelle. The search, Pankey said, came about a month after he gave police a DNA sample. He does. How did he seem to you? ANTHONY VIORST: Mr. Pankey, I'm gonna ask you to answer my questions a little more directly if you don't mind. Additionally, there was no mention of Drakes shoe size in Olsons writings, and he couldnt remember the shoe size from memory during his testimony. Prosecutors have announced they are ready for a new trial, because they still believe Jonelle was killed by Steven Pankey. In a matter of days, the search was all over the news, but not because police were talking. Kevin Schneider: He couldn't take his dad. Also, he was a candidate for a county sheriff in Twin Falls which, once again, wasn't a success story for him. But the District Attorney's Office felt they had enough evidence to go to trial. KELLY WERTHMANN: Did you kill Jonelle Matthews? I said "I want to talk to you. LOCAL NEWS REPORT: 12-year-old Jonelle Matthews disappeared from her Greeley home. That was one of many lies, says Pankey, meant to target people he hated, like his father-in-law, and Mayor John Gates. Pankey is a person of interest in a cold case homicide out of STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: I lived in Greeley, Colorado, from 1973 . Thats why its so important to That great looking new building in Wiggins? Steve Pankey and Angela Hicks' son, Carl, was murdered in 2008. We were very involved in our church. Pankey went on trial in October 2021. When it comes to landscape Did you know Your Butcher, Frank has super tasty delicatessen salads? Throughout Yosts testimony, Deputy District Attorney Lacy Wells made several objections to Viorsts remarks about Drakes interest in young girls. 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. This timeline indicated the family was watching The Cosby Show from 7-9 p.m. Olson testified he checked the TV guide and confirmed the times match up with the statements. The next step in the investigation was gathering the evidence Olson collected to present to the the Weld District Attorneys Office. He also wrote that he feared he might "get the death penalty for revealing the location of" her body. 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. In her testimony, Hicks said she was unsure if the car functioned. We're leaving before daylight tomorrow morning to go to Big Bear for Christmas.". 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. BOISE, Idaho Former Idaho gubernatorial candidate Steve Pankey is again claiming he's innocent. She said a very emotional Pankey walked up And Viorst had more, based on testimony by a former girlfriend of Drake's. Here we have explained his remarkable political journey after serving his country and community as a responsible officer. On those other counts, the actual murder charges, the jury deadlocked and could not come to a unanimous verdict. As of Thursday, no criminal charges had been filed. Pankey, who resided in Idaho in the years leading up to his arrest, was a 33-year-old used car salesman living in Greeley with his then-wife and young son at the time of Jonelle's disappearance. Jim was eventually cleared, leaving no suspects or leads. STEVE PANKEY ["Unfound" podcast]: She was 23 years old. Kelly Werthmann and others covering the trial had never heard the name Norris Drake before, butunlike PankeyDrake had been questioned by police about Jonelle's disappearance. Steve Packey is currently awaiting trial for her murder. at their state convention, he claimed that they tried to do an exorcism on him. What happened? She made a correction to these statements during Wednesdays trial that he actually watched his adult neighbor, Susan. 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. Ryan Horsley: I think that was his last-ditch effort, honestly. 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. And he said, no, not to his knowledge. It's just he is a strange guy. He doesnt talk much about his mother, but generally gives the impression that he was raised in a very religious family. Steve Pankey is charged and on trial for her death. Their son, Carl, was murdered in Phoenix in 2008. Ryan Horsley: Out of the blue he began, um, purchasing firearms and later found out that Greeley Police Department had been contacting him regarding this murder investigation. 48 Hours: Steve Pankey was arrested for the 1984 murder of Jonelle Mathews. Pankey said he wants his story to be heard in case he is arrested. As investigators struggled to find answers, they focused initially on Jonelle's father Jim Matthews. 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. 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. Pankey said he had a bad relationship with Greeley authorities afterward. Richard Schlesinger: Do you believe that he was a threat to children in that church? Ferdinand Marcos was born in the municipality of Sarrat, Ilocos Norte province, on September 11, 1917.

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