GUILTY CO - Jonelle Matthews, 12, found deceased, Greeley, 20 Dec 1984 *arrest 2020* #2

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Missing Since: December 20, 1984 from Greeley, Colorado
Classification: Non-Family Abduction
Date Of Birth: February 9, 1972
Age: 12 years old
Height and Weight: 5'3, 115 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian female. Brown hair, brown eyes. Jonelle has a scar on her chin. She wore a full set of braces on her teeth at the time of her 1984 disappearance. Jonelle's ears are pierced. Some agencies may spell her first name "Janelle" or "Jonell" and her last name "Mathews," or give her age at the time of her disappearance as fourteen.
Clothing/Jewelry Description: A light blue ski jacket, a red blouse, a dark gray sweater vest, a charcoal gray skirt and house slippers.

Details of Disappearance

Jonelle was dropped off by friends at her family's residence in Greeley, Colorado on December 20, 1984 at approximately 8:15 p.m. She was returning from a Christmas choral program at a nursing home and was to wait for the rest of her family to arrive at the home. Her older sister and her father, Jim Matthews, were at a basketball game and her mother, Gloria Matthews, was visiting relatives out of state. Jonelle was last heard from at 8:30 p.m., when she spoke to an acquaintance of her father on the phone.
​

Jonelle's father, Jim Matthews, arrived at the house at approximately 9:30 p.m. and discovered she had disappeared. Jonelle's stockings and shoes were on the floor and the television and lights were turned on. She had also taken a phone message for another family member. The garage door was discovered open and investigators located footprints inside the garage and around the back of the family's home. Authorities suspect that an unknown intruder or intruders broke into the residence and abducted Jonelle that evening. She has never been seen again.
​

Jonelle's biological mother, Terri Vierra-Martinez, located the child's adoptive parents in 1997. Vierra-Martinez learned about Jonelle's disappearance at that time. She also discovered that law enforcement had kept her under surveillance for six weeks after Jonelle's 1984 abduction. Authorities were not permitted to give Vierra-Martinez any information concerning her daughter's case at the time due to adoption laws. Vierra-Martinez is not a suspect in Jonelle's disappearance. She has become friends with Jonelle's adoptive parents. Jim and Gloria believe that their daughter is deceased and have held a memorial service for her.
​

Media reports stated that several investigators theorized that Jonelle was sexually assaulted inside her residence on the evening of her 1984 disappearance. They believed that she may have been murdered by the unknown attacker(s) and her remains were incinerated to hide the crimes. Other investigators believed that Jonelle was abducted and taken elsewhere. Her case remains unsolved. ​

Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Greeley Police Department
303-350-9670​

Charley Project
NCMEC

Thread #1

 

[Seattle1]

Jury selection underway for man charged with killing Jonelle Matthews | Fox 31 KDVR

10/6/21

Jury selection is expected to take several days, the trial is expected last five weeks.

Pankey was indicted by a grand jury on Oct. 9, 2020.

Jonelle went missing on Dec. 20, 1984 when she was dropped off at home after a holiday concert.

Her remains were found in July 2019 by a construction crew working in the area.

 

[Seattle1]

https://www.thedenverchannel.com/ne...ey-12-year-old-case-remained-cold-for-decades

10/5/21

WELD COUNTY, Colo. — The trial for a man accused of murdering 12-year-old Jonelle Matthews of Greeley — a case that went cold for more than 30 years — is set to begin Wednesday.

Jury selection will start Wednesday and is expected to take several days, the Weld County District Attorney's Office said. The trial is scheduled to last four weeks.

 

[Seattle1]

Jonelle Matthews update: Steve Pankey trial begins in Greeley

10/5/21

Nearly a year after he was indicted by a grand jury and arrested on felony murder and kidnapping charges, 70-year-old Steven Pankey is set to stand trial starting this week in the 1984 death of Greeley 12-year-old Jonelle Matthews.

Pankey's trial began Wednesday in Greeley, starting with several days of jury selection, according to Weld County District Attorney Michael Rourke's office. The trial is scheduled to last roughly five weeks, ending Nov. 5.

The Coloradoan plans to cover the beginning, end and key testimony of the trial, which marks the latest turn in the nearly 37-year-old case of Matthews' disappearance and death.

 

[Seattle1]

Jonelle Matthews trial: Steven Pankey charged in 1984 murder | 9news.com

10/6/21

GREELEY, Colo. — Jury selection begins Wednesday in the trial for the man charged in the 1984 murder and disappearance of 12-year-old Jonelle Matthews.

She was last seen after a Christmas choir concert on Dec. 20 of that year when a neighbor dropped her off at the family’s Greeley home. When her parents came home about an hour later, Jonelle's shoes had been left behind, the front door was open and the TV was on.

In July 2019, a crew excavating at an oil and gas well in Weld County discovered her remains. In October of 2020, Steve Pankey was arrested in Idaho after he was indicted by a grand jury on first-degree murder and kidnapping charges.

 

[Seattle1]

Jury selection starts for former Idaho governor candidate's murder trial

10/7/21

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — Jury selection has begun in the murder trial of Steve Pankey, the former Idaho governor candidate.

Pankey is now charged with kidnapping and killing a 12-year-old girl. Jonelle Matthews disappeared more than 30 years ago. Her remains weren't discovered until 2019.

Pankey ran for governor as a Constitution Party candidate in 2014 and again as a Republican in 2018. His jury trial is expected to last five weeks.

 

[Niner]

Going to "guess" that jury selection IS over & trial DID begin yesterday. I'm only getting article 7 days old...

Wednesday, October 13th:
*Trial continues (Day 2) (@ 8:30am MT) – CO – Jonelle Renee Matthews (12) (went missing on Dec 20, 1984 after entering her home at 8pm, Greeley, found July 23, 2019 by construction workers at an oil & gas site in rural part of Weld County near County Road 49 & County Road 34½) – *Steven Dana Pankey (33 @ time of crime/69/now 70) indicted (10/9/20), arrested & charged (10/12/20 in Meridian, ID.) with 1st degree murder after deliberation, 1st degree felony murder, 2nd degree kidnapping, with sentence enhancers for using a weapon in a violent crime & 2 counts of crime of violence. Plead not guilty. $5M cash-only bond.
Trial began on 10/12/21 (thru 11/5/21). Will have 12 jurors & 3 alternates. Jury selection from 10/7/21 to 10/8/21.
Info on warrant & court info from 8/18/20 thru 9/30/21 & Jury selection (Day 1-3) 10/6/21-10/8/21 reference post #924:
Found Deceased - CO - Jonelle Matthews, 12, Greeley, 20 Dec 1984 *arrest 2020*
10/12/21 Tuesday, Trial Day 1: Opening statements. No other info available. Trial continues on 10/13/21.

 

[Gardenista]

Prosecutor is the guy from Watts case, Michael Rourk

10/13/21 Opening Statements in Colorado Cold Case Murder Trial - Court TV

 

[Gardenista]

Looks like full opening statements here. Not sure if they are going to do the full trial

 

[Niner]

Thursday, October 14th:
*Trial continues (Day 3) (@ 8:30am MT) – CO – Jonelle Renee Matthews (12) (went missing on Dec 20, 1984 after entering her home at 8pm, Greeley, found July 23, 2019 by construction workers at an oil & gas site in rural part of Weld County near County Road 49 & County Road 34½) – *Steven Dana Pankey (33 @ time of crime/69/now 70) indicted (10/9/20), arrested & charged (10/12/20 in Meridian, ID.) with 1st degree murder after deliberation, 1st degree felony murder, 2nd degree kidnapping, with sentence enhancers for using a weapon in a violent crime & 2 counts of crime of violence. Plead not guilty. $5M cash-only bond.
Trial began on 10/12/21 (thru 11/5/21). 12 jurors & 3 alternates. Jury selection from 10/7/21 to 10/8/21.
Info on warrant & court info from 8/18/20 thru 9/30/21 & Jury selection (Day 1-3) 10/6/21-10/8/21 reference post #924:
Found Deceased - CO - Jonelle Matthews, 12, Greeley, 20 Dec 1984 *arrest 2020*
10/12/21 Tuesday, Trial Day 1: Opening statements by Weld County District Attorney Michael Rourke & Pankey’s attorney, Anthony Viorst. No other info available yet. Trial continues on 10/13/21.
10/13/21 Wednesday Trial Day 2: No info available. Trial continues on 10/14/21.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Trial starts in 1984 killing of girl shown on milk cartoon

 

[Seattle1]

Father Of Jonelle Matthews Testifies In Steve Pankey's Trial

 

[Seattle1]

Jonelle Matthews' parents testify in Steve Pankey trial for 12-year-old's murder | FOX31 Denver

Updated: Oct 13, 2021 / 05:43 PM MDT
WELD COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — After nearly four decades since the disappearance of 12-year-old Jonelle Matthews, opening statements started in the trial for Steve Pankey, the man charged in her murder.

Matthews disappeared from her home in Greeley on Dec. 20, 1984. Her remains were found in July 2019 at a construction several miles away from the home.

Pankey maintains his innocence, although he’s charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping with a weapon. The official indictment from Weld County claims Pankey kidnapped Matthews at gunpoint while she was home alone.

Documents claim Pankey later shot Matthews in the head and used a rake to cover up foot tracks in the snow.

“Our girls were very good about letting us know, whether that was writing notes or calling us, if they were going to have a change of plans, so I started getting really concerned then,” said Jim Matthews, Jonelle’s father, who was first to take the stand on Wednesday.

Jonelle’s mother and older sister also answered questions for the jury, describing Jonelle as a lively girl that would light up every room.

“Right away, I had this feeling in my stomach that things were not right,” said Jonelle’s mother, Gloria Matthews, describing the call she got from her husband. “I knew Jonelle would have written a note or something. After the conversation, I hung up and cried for the rest of the night.”

Gloria was not home at the time of her daughter’s disappearance. She was visiting her parents in California.

In opening statements, Pankey’s lawyer claimed Pankey’s Asperger’s syndrome made him obsessive about the case, feeling the need to insert himself into the investigation even though he wasn’t involved.

However, Pankey gave several statements to police over the years that ultimately made him their prime suspect. He even asked police for immunity in exchange for evidence in the case.

Jonelle’s parents said Wednesday they did not know who Pankey was until police zeroed in on him during their investigation.

 

[Seattle1]

Steve Pankey trial: Former officer testifies about Pankey’s arrest for being ‘unruly’ the day before Jonelle’s disappearance – Greeley Tribune

 

[Seattle1]

Opening Statements Begin In Murder Trial For Steve Pankey In 1984 Death Of Jonelle Matthews 10/13/21

 

[Seattle1]

Father Of Jonelle Matthews Testifies In Steve Pankey's Trial 10/13/21

 

[Seattle1]

Jonelle Matthews case: Testimony begins in trial of accused killer

10/13/21

No physical evidence links Jonelle Matthews and Steven Pankey, the 70-year-old Idaho man accused of kidnapping and killing the Greeley 12-year-old nearly 37 years ago, Weld County District Attorney Michael Rourke said during his opening statement at Pankey's trial Wednesday morning.

Instead, the state’s case against Pankey will largely hinge on incriminating statements Pankey made about Jonelle’s case to his former wife, investigators and journalists after Jonelle went missing following a Christmas choir concert on Dec. 20, 1984, Rourke said Wednesday.

These statements spanned from January 1985, when Rourke said Pankey told an investigator that he had information about Jonelle’s disappearance, up until after July 2019, when Jonelle’s skeletal remains were discovered by oil and gas workers digging for a pipeline in a rural Weld County field.

Pankey, who resided in Greeley with his young son and then-wife at the time of Jonelle’s abduction and murder, eventually settled in Idaho. He was living there in October 2020, when he was indicted by a grand jury and arrested. Pankey faces charges of first-degree murder, felony murder and kidnapping as well as two violent crime sentence enhancements.

Pankey's trial started Oct. 6, and a jury was seated Tuesday, paving the way for opening statements and witness testimony to begin Wednesday.

"For 37 years, justice for Jonelle has been denied," Rourke told the jury. "That ends starting today."

 

[Seattle1]

Steve Pankey trial: Trial starts for man charged in cold case | 9news.com

Rourke detailed some of the behaviors that Pankey’s ex-wife will testify about later during the trial. They include:

• An unannounced trip to California right after Jonelle went missing
• Making his wife search the radio for news about Jonelle on the way home from that trip
• Having his wife “beg” for old copies of the Greeley Tribune from when they were out of town, and then making her read articles about Jonelle
• He began digging in the front yard when they got home from the California trip
• Days later, his wife saw a car burning on the back of their property

Pankey later tried to salvage a car that had a “phony” fire, according to Rourke. He said the person at the salvage yard noted the fire appeared to have originated inside the vehicle.

RELATED: Jonelle Matthews killed by bullet to the head, coroner says

Pankey’s son Mark was murdered in 2008 and, according to Rourke, his wife will testify that she heard Pankey say, “I hope God didn’t let this happen because of Jonelle Matthews,” as he stood near the urn containing their son’s ashes.

 

[Niner]

Steve Pankey trial: Former officer testifies about Pankey’s arrest for being ‘unruly’ the day before Jonelle’s disappearance – Greeley Tribune

Can you give me the witnesses listed in this article - I can't access as I have no subscription. I did see the mayor listed & police officer before it went blank for me...
TIA!

And any other people that took the witness stand on Wednesday - also on Thursday.

 

[Niner]

Friday, October 15th:
*Trial continues (Day 4) (@ 8:30am MT) – CO – Jonelle Renee Matthews (12) (went missing on Dec 20, 1984 after entering her home at 8pm, Greeley, found July 23, 2019 by construction workers at an oil & gas site in rural part of Weld County near County Road 49 & County Road 34½) – *Steven Dana Pankey (33 @ time of crime/69/now 70) indicted (10/9/20), arrested & charged (10/12/20 in Meridian, ID.) with 1st degree murder after deliberation, 1st degree felony murder, 2nd degree kidnapping, with sentence enhancers for using a weapon in a violent crime & 2 counts of crime of violence. Plead not guilty. $5M cash-only bond.
Trial began on 10/12/21 (thru 11/5/21). 12 jurors & 3 alternates. Jury selection from 10/7/21 to 10/8/21.
Info on warrant & court info from 8/18/20 thru 9/30/21 & Jury selection (Day 1-3) 10/6/21-10/8/21 & Trial (Day 1) 10/12/21 reference post #10:
Found Deceased - CO - Jonelle Matthews, 12, Greeley, 20 Dec 1984 *arrest 2020* #2
10/13/21 Wednesday Trial Day 2: State witnesses: Jim Matthews (Jonelle’s father). Gloria Matthews (Jonelle's mother). Jennifer Mogenson (Jonelle's older sister). Jonelle's friend. Ross Russell (neighbor). No other info available yet. Trial continues on 10/14/21.
10/14/21 Thursday, Trial Day 3: No info available. Trial continues on 10/15/21.