It was December 1984 when 12-year-old Jonelle Matthews vanished from her household's Greeley, Colorado residence. The one proof left behind had been shoeprints within the snow – shoeprints somebody tried to erase with a backyard rake. The case drew nationwide consideration. Greater than three many years later, in 2019, Jonelle's physique was discovered by a crew digging a pipeline. In 2020, Steven Pankey, who says he by no means met Jonelle, was charged with homicide after repeatedly making public statements that inserted him into the case, together with drawing up a listing of individuals of curiosity together with his personal identify on it. Pankey went on trial in October 2021. Anthony Viorst, Pankey's former legal professional, says Pankey craves consideration however shouldn't be a assassin. "[T]here is no indication that he dedicated this homicide, no indication that he had something to do with burying the physique. Mr. Pankey needed to be an individual of curiosity. … Mr. Pankey loves the limelight … all the statements that he has made about his culpability have been, 'I did not do it,'" Viorst instructed "48 hours" correspondent Richard Schlesinger as he prepped for the trial. At trial, Viorst instructed the jury that Pankey was a true-crime junkie. And Pankey himself took the stand. "It was simply me making an attempt to be an enormous man, be within the case, OK? I had no information," Pankey stated. "It started as a sequence of lies, and it bought greater and greater through the years," Pankey instructed the jury. "One lie results in one other." If Pankey did not kill Jonelle Matthews, then who did? It had been almost 4 many years since Jonelle Matthews was kidnapped from her residence and murdered. Now, her mother and father had been lastly in a courtroom determined for solutions. JIM MATTHEWS | Jonelle's father [on the witness stand]: She might have been lured out of the home and gullible as a result of she was 12 years outdated. Kelly Werthmann: This was a second that this neighborhood had been ready for a very long time. Kelly Werthmann is a reporter and anchor for Denver's CBS station, KCNC. Kelly Werthmann: Folks had been prepared. However … it was intense. It is a case that has haunted the small Colorado metropolis of Greeley. Darla Jentzsch: All of us lived with our entrance doorways open. Deanna Ross: We rode our bikes lots round city. Jonelle Matthews' mates Darla Jentzsch and Deanna Ross keep in mind rising up with Jonelle. Deanna Ross: We had sleepovers, birthday events. We simply had an enormous group of mates. It is the form of city realtors prefer to name "a fantastic place to boost youngsters." Darla Jentzsch: I am so lucky that we had been neighbors. However simply 5 days earlier than Christmas, Greeley realized it couldn't conceal from evil. LOCAL NEWS REPORT: 12-year-old Jonelle Matthews disappeared from her Greeley residence. … It is believed she's the sufferer of a kidnapping. Darla Jentzsch: It was such a thriller, this entire factor occurred. Similar to that, Darla misplaced her childhood pal. Richard Schlesinger: Do you keep in mind being afraid? Darla Jentzsch: Oh, yeah. I keep in mind being afraid. Deanna Ross: As a neighborhood, it rocked Greeley. LOCAL NEWS REPORT:Jonelle Matthews will flip 13 in two weeks. Nobody is aware of the place she'll spend her birthday. Richard Schlesinger:You would be the final individuals to whom one thing like this may occur, I'd suppose. Jim Matthews: Mmm. Gloria Matthews: Yeah. Jim and Gloria Matthews had moved to Greeley simply six years earlier, to boost their younger daughters Jennifer and Jonelle. Jennifer Mogensen: We had been comfortable. Richard Schlesinger: Have been you a detailed household? Jim Matthews: Positively. … Gloria was working at a restaurant. And I used to be an elementary principal. … We had been very concerned in our church. And we simply had a really full life. Not less than they did till that night time — December 20. That is when Jonelle went to sing in a college choir live performance. Jim Matthews: She was involved in any form of performing factor. Afterwards she bought a journey residence with Deanna Ross and Deanna's father. That was about 8 p.m. Deanna Ross: Jonelle wanted a journey residence … so she hopped in our truck and we took her residence. … My dad waited till he noticed her flick on the sunshine. That was our signal that she made it inside and the whole lot's fantastic. Richard Schlesinger: And also you drove off considering what? Deanna Ross: That I would see her the subsequent day, at college. Jim Matthews: I got here residence on my own. Jim Matthews remembers arriving residence at about 9:30 p.m. and located that his daughter wasn't there. Richard Schlesinger: Did it happen to you that possibly she … had run away? Jim Matthews: No, as a result of I do know my daughter effectively sufficient that primary, it is Christmas time. She loves presents. She simply loves the entire festivities of Christmas. At first, he thought Jonelle was at a pal's home, however after calling round and ready a few half hour to an hour, Jim says he known as police. Jim Matthews: They despatched two or three detectives out and began looking the home for clues. Mayor John Gates: I keep in mind that night time prefer it was yesterday. Greeley's Mayor John Gates was 27 years outdated on the time, and a police officer. He was known as to the scene. Mayor John Gates: My task that night time … was … going across the neighborhood, knocking on doorways … asking them if they'd seen or heard something suspicious that night. Nobody had seen or heard something, and the Matthews residence, which was now a criminal offense scene, supplied few clues. The one bodily proof had been these footprints within the recent snow. They had been discovered simply exterior the home. And there was one thing odd about them. Jim Matthews: Whoever did it, tried to rake their footprints. Richard Schlesinger: And he was utilizing, what, a backyard rake? Jim Matthews: Yeah, proper out of my storage. Richard Schlesinger: Oh, to cowl them up. Jim Matthews: Yeah, yeah. Richard Schlesinger: Peculiar, huh? Jim Matthews: [laughs] Sure. There have been no fingerprints and if there was DNA, regulation enforcement was nonetheless a number of years from with the ability to analyze it. With nothing else to go on, investigators targeted on Jim Matthews himself. Richard Schlesinger: What was it like so that you can be thought-about a suspect in your daughter's disappearance? Jim Matthews: For the longest time I knew precisely what they had been doing, and I revered it. He even agreed to a lie detector check, with an FBI agent. Jim Matthews: The primary interrogator west of the Mississippi. Jim says the agent instructed him he failed. Jim Matthews: I simply stored telling him, I stated, "Pay attention, I am telling you the reality. I am telling you the whole lot I do know." Then they'd one other one with the native police. That is once I began dropping it. I stated hear, "I've been very sincere, I have been accessible to you any time you needed, however I am getting sick of this as a result of I'm harmless." Jim was finally cleared, leaving no suspects or leads. A bunch of Greeley residents labored exhausting to maintain Jonelle's story alive. Jim Matthews: The Rescue Jonelle Committee … made all types of issues occur. They made headlines. Jonelle turned one of many first lacking youngsters whose picture appeared on milk cartons throughout America. And even President Ronald Reagan bought concerned. He talked about Jonelle in a speech about lacking youngsters. PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN [March 7, 1985]: I realized about Jonelle Matthews of Greeley, Colorado. … 5 days earlier than Christmas, Jonelle disappeared from her residence. However Jonelle's household and mates might solely entice that form of consideration for therefore lengthy. With no actual proof of what occurred to the 12-year-old, the case went chilly. However Jonelle was removed from forgotten. Gloria Matthews: In all places we went I used to be all the time searching for her … I all the time had hope that I'd discover her. … in my desires she all the time got here residence. , she all the time got here residence. However in actuality, there was no signal of Jonelle. LOCAL NEWS REPORT: A serious improvement to inform you about in a thriller that's greater than three many years outdated. After which on July 23, 2019, almost 35 years after Jonelle's disappearance, police lastly had that breaking information to share. Jennifer Mogensen: Wow. Deanna Ross: It was an entire shock. A crew digging a pipeline in a distant stretch of land simply southeast of Greeley had found human stays with a gunshot wound to the top. MayorJohn Gates: They had been confirmed by the coroner to be these of Jonelle Matthews. It was agony for Jonelle's mom Gloria, who might not hope her daughter would come residence. Gloria Matthews: We're going to know that she was murdered [crying]. The query was, who killed Jonelle? STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: I heard that a lady was lacking from Greeley, Colorado. Police may need been nearer to a solution than they knew. STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: I lived in Greeley, Colorado, from 1973 … Steve Pankey was as soon as a candidate for governor of Idaho. STEVE PANKEY [Idaho Statesman political ad]: I am one of many individuals who needs to symbolize you. He was an individual who certain was within the case. STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: I contacted the FBI. And made himself an individual of curiosity. STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: I knew greater than I needed to know, OK. STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: I instructed the FBI I wish to speak to you. It might or might not have one thing to do with the Jonelle Matthews case. In September 2019, simply weeks after discovering the stays of 12-year-old Jonelle Matthews, the case that had been so chilly for therefore lengthy rapidly heated up. Authorities searched a house in Twin Falls, Idaho. STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: They have full SWAT gear on. They have rifles they usually're pointing them at me. It belonged to Steven Pankey. In a matter of days, the search was all around the information, however not as a result of police had been speaking. STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: Do not spit in my face. Do not accuse me … It was Steven Pankey who began speaking — to only about anybody who would hear, together with CBS affiliate KMVT. STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: I've by no means met Jonelle Matthews … I've by no means met anyone in her household ... STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: Be certain that the viewers hear that … I voluntarily gave my DNA. I supplied to take a polygraph. Police will not instantly affirm any of that. Kelly Werthmann interviewed Pankey for CBSDenver over FaceTime. STEVE PANKEY [to Werthmann]: If I gave my DNA, that will be kinda like a knockout blow … Kelly Werthmann: He actually needed to make himself clear that he was framed. KELLY WERTHMANN: Did you kill Jonelle Matthews? STEVE PANKEY: [Laughs] Completely not. "48 Hours" tried to get our personal interview with Pankey. Richard Schlesinger: Would you allow us to speak to your consumer? Anthony Viorst: No. I can't. However by then, protection legal professional Anthony Viorst had silenced his chatty new consumer. Anthony Viorst: Mr. Pankey likes to speak. He does. … to some extent, we will simply must face that. Jonelle's father Jim says the fast-breaking information about Pankey stunned him. Jim Matthews: We had by no means heard the identify Steve Pankey. … We had been completely clueless about this man. However because it seems, when Jonelle vanished in 1984, Pankey lived in Greeley — about two miles from the Matthew residence. STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: On the time I used to be married. And … I had a 5-year-old son. Greeley was a lot smaller then and Pankey was recognized round city. Mayor John Gates: I had met him in in regards to the mid-Nineteen Seventies. Richard Schlesinger: You keep in mind that? Mayor John Gates: I do. Yeah, he labored for my father. … sure, I keep in mind assembly him. Greeley Mayor and former police officer John Gates knew Steven Pankey, and says he was not thought-about an individual of curiosity within the early days when Jonelle first disappeared. Richard Schlesinger: Was Pankey questioned in any respect within the early days of this investigation? Mayor John Gates: To not my information. Anthony Viorst says his consumer has an alibi. Richard Schlesinger: The place was he the night time Jonelle Matthews disappeared? Anthony Viorst: He was at residence that night time together with his spouse and youngster. Pankey says the morning after Jonelle disappeared, he and his household left Greeley for 5 days. STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: We went to California to be with my mother and father for Christmas. STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: On the twenty sixth we had been driving again. And I heard on the automotive radio that a lady was lacking from Greeley, Colorado. … in fact, you understand, you suppose that is horrible, however plenty of youngsters go lacking, you understand. That is what he says he thought at first, however a month after Jonelle's disappearance, Pankey out of the blue inserted himself instantly into the center of this case and volunteered some details about Jonelle's disappearance. STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: I contacted the Fort Collins FBI workplace. … I stated … "I wish to speak to you. It might or might not have one thing to do with the Jonelle Matthews case." Steve Pankey claims that seven days after Jonelle disappeared, his father-in-law — a groundskeeper at a Greeley cemetery — shared some disturbing info. STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: He instructed me that a cop had contacted him and stated that he had a physique he needed to be buried. Pankey instructed KMVT that he shared the knowledge with the FBI, as a result of he feared that someway somebody could be making an attempt to implicate him in Jonelle's homicide. STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: I wish to no less than be on report that I talked to you, so I do not get presumably an obstruction of justice cost. It is a wild sounding story and "48 Hours" cannot affirm it and even that he went to the FBI. Legislation enforcement information present that Pankey had different unrelated run-ins with Greeley police. They describe largely minor and non-violent allegations, like making a nuisance and harassment. In reality, the day earlier than Jonelle disappeared, Pankey was arrested at a financial institution for harassment and legal trespass. Anthony Viorst: He argued with a financial institution teller and the police had been known as. The police and courtroom information of what occurred with the costs are not out there. Anthony Viorst: That is the form of factor that is occurred to Mr. Pankey through the years. He is had periodic kind of spats with individuals as a result of he's an irascible, prickly man. However police clearly suppose it is greater than that and appear to be wanting intently at Pankey's previous — presumably together with a case from 1977, when a 26-year-old Pankey was charged with sexually assaulting a lady he met in church. In a four-hour episode of the "Unfound" podcast recorded in November 2019, Pankey claims he was courting his accuser. STEVE PANKEY ["Unfound" podcast]: In 1977, I used to be a youth pastor on the … church. STEVE PANKEY ["Unfound" podcast]: She was 23 years outdated. Anthony Viorst: There was a sexual encounter. And he or she later stated it was nonconsensual. The girl finally requested that the case be dismissed. Anthony Viorst: It has nothing to do with this case. Nothing. … he is a agency adherent to the Ten Commandments, which embrace thou shalt not kill. However Jim Matthews, who joined that very same church not lengthy after Pankey left, says there's one other commandment Pankey appears to be having bother with: thou shalt not bear false witness. Jim Matthews: He was not a youth employee at our church. He was the janitor. Richard Schlesinger: Do you imagine that he was a risk to youngsters in that church? Gloria Matthews: We do not know. However Anthony Viorst says he is not fearful Anthony Viorst: There is no bodily proof by any means to attach Mr. Pankey to this crime. Zero bodily proof, OK? John Gates is aware of the proof is circumstantial, however he believes it's as sturdy as it's unusual. Mayor John Gates: That is … a number of the most weird stuff I've ever heard, and I have been across the block. About two years after 12-year-old Jonelle Matthews vanished from her residence in Greeley, Colorado, her household made the painful choice to pack up and depart city. Jim Matthews: It's a must to go on with life. You'll be able to't let this eat you. Round that very same time, Steven Pankey, his younger son and his spouse, who was pregnant with their second son, additionally left Greeley. The Pankey household bounced round from state to state for some time. In 1989, they settled in Idaho, however Pankey admits he couldn't cease occupied with Jonelle. STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: It will be at the back of my thoughts about this case … so I known as … the man who lived subsequent door … I simply requested, "did they ever resolve that Jonelle Matthews factor?" And he stated, no, to not his information. However Pankey may need been extra than simply curious. In 1999 he instructed the Idaho Supreme Court docket, after a conviction for as soon as once more inflicting a scene in a financial institution, that the conviction — which was dismissed years later — was partially an "try and pressure" him "to turn into an informant" in Jonelle's disappearance. He additionally wrote that he feared he would possibly "get the dying penalty for revealing the situation of" her physique. Richard Schlesinger: See, that is bizarre. I imply, why would he say that if he did not know the place Jonelle Matthews was buried? Anthony Viorst: Properly, here is what I will say, Richard. I agree with you that it is bizarre … It simply makes zero sense. It is simply — he's a wierd man. … and we submit that … he by no means knew the place the physique was as a result of he did not do that. However through the years there was much more unusual habits, moments that, authorities imagine add as much as circumstantial proof. Richard Schlesinger: What did you consider him? How did he appear to you? Kevin Schneider: Very odd. Kevin Schneider says he met the Pankey household after they first moved to Idaho. His son was mates with Pankey's son, Mark. Richard Schlesinger: Did your son ever see any uncommon issues on the Pankey home when he was over there? Kevin Schneider: Sure, he did. One time, I suppose their household canine was doing a whole lot of barking, and it was irritating Steven. And he took duct tape and wrapped it across the canine's muzzle. Richard Schlesinger: Ohh. Pankey denies he ever did that, however Kevin says Pankey's son Mark was so sad dwelling at residence that the Schneiders took him in for about six years. Kevin Schneider: He could not take his dad. In 2001, Pankey's spouse filed for divorce, and he moved to Shoshone, Idaho, the place in 2004 with none expertise with regulation enforcement, apart from being arrested, he ran for sheriff. He misplaced, however Pankey nonetheless needed to be sheriff someplace. In 2008, he considered operating in Twin Falls, the place he went to church with Ryan Horsley, a political advisor. Ryan Horsley: I used to be form of confused as a result of our native sheriff really went to our church. Richard Schlesinger: He needed to run towards … a fellow church member? Ryan Horsley: Yeah. … it simply appeared actually bizarre that he did not have a grievance towards our native sheriff … And so simply appeared like he was simply operating simply to run. Pankey may need thought higher about operating in Twin Falls. In 2008, he ran for sheriff in Shoshone as soon as once more. And, as soon as once more, he did not come near profitable. However his political ambitions grew, and he turned a serial candidate. Ryan Horsley: He is ran for lieutenant governor as soon as. … he is ran for governor two instances. … And one of many instances he ran for governor was an actual dumpster fireplace. Richard Schlesinger: What made that marketing campaign a dumpster fireplace? Ryan Horsley: He ran below the Constitutional Get together. … at their state conference, he claimed that they tried to do an exorcism on him. Richard Schlesinger: I am sorry, did you say an exorcism? Ryan Horsley: Sure. Richard Schlesinger: I do know that you are a politician and never a priest, however did he appear in want of an exorcism? Ryan Horsley: It simply appeared unusual. I used to be simply form of glued to the headlines this entire time on simply his tales — that they simply did not make sense. For the report, the Structure Get together denies Pankey or anybody else was exorcised — no less than by them. In 2018, Pankey made a second try at turning into governor and to nobody's shock, he misplaced. Ryan Horsley says that is when Pankey began amassing weapons. Ryan Horsley: Out of the blue he started, um, buying firearms … and later discovered that Greeley Police Division had been contacting him relating to this homicide investigation. And 6 weeks after Jonelle's stays had been found, authorities had been at Pankey's entrance door with a search warrant. STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: They searched this place, they took my laptop computer … Pankey had an fascinating subsequent transfer: he ran for sheriff once more. Ryan Horsley: I believe that was his last-ditch effort, truthfully. Richard Schlesinger: To do what? Ryan Horsley: To halt any investigation, to halt him getting arrested. It did not work. DA MICHAEL ROURKE [to reporters]:It's with nice honor right this moment that we announce that the grand jury indicted a person named Steven Dana Pankey for the kidnapping and homicide of Jonelle Matthews. On October 12, 2020, police arrested Steven Pankey for kidnapping and first-degree homicide. CHIEF MARK JONES [to reporters]: To the Matthews household, I pray that this information brings you some closure and hope as we proceed to pursue justice for Jonelle and your loved ones. Protection legal professional Anthony Viorst says the case towards his consumer is only a weak and circumstantial assortment of unusual behaviors. Anthony Viorst: I do not prefer to expose my protection, you understand, on nationwide tv … however I do not suppose it will be any shock once I inform you that they have no motive by any means for this crime … there's completely no indication Mr. Pankey knew this lady … knew the place she lived … had any want to kill her. However the District Lawyer's Workplace felt they'd sufficient proof to go to trial. And on October 13, 2021, a jury was seated and able to hear the case. In August 2019, almost 35 years after Jonelle vanished, Gloria and Jim Matthews had been lastly in a position to lay her to relaxation. Jim Matthews: We knew that we needed to present her a dignified burial and … I am not an actual emotional individual. However boy, simply the floodgates opened up for each of us. However there was no relaxation for the Matthews. They needed to wait somewhat greater than two years —till October 2021, for this second: opening statements within the trial of Steven Pankey. DA MICHAEL ROURKE: The seek for justice for Jonelle begins right this moment. DA MICHAEL ROURKE: The proof on this case will show … that the defendant is responsible of homicide within the first diploma and second-degree kidnapping. Greeley Mayor John Gates was on the witness checklist. Richard Schlesinger: What had been the challenges dealing with the prosecution? Mayor John Gates: Properly, I believe from a regulation enforcement perspective, the truth that … the case was 37 years outdated. … The large factor in policing now's DNA. That, in fact, does not exist. Richard Schlesinger: The issue is there isn't any bodily proof. Mayor John Gates: Proper. Richard Schlesinger: So, you've got actually gotta imagine these prosecution witnesses to convict this man. Mayor John Gates: No query. After all, the prosecution additionally has Pankey's personal phrases.He spent years insisting he had very important details about what occurred to Jonelle Matthews. DA Michael Rourke: He wasn't an individual of curiosity. And but he picks up the telephone. And he calls Detective Jack Stotler and he identifies himself as a ordained Baptist minister. He claimed that he had contact with someone who had details about Jonelle's disappearance. However he did not hand over the knowledge. "48 Hours" interviewed Pankey's legal professional Anthony Viorst as he was getting ready for trial. Richard Schlesinger: Why would he interject himself into the case? Anthony Viorst: I am unable to reply that as a result of I am unable to get into his head however, however I do suppose … it is a mixture of kind of obsessive-compulsive habits and you understand, even perhaps psychological sickness. Mayor Gates thinks there's loads of proof towards Pankey. Mayor John Gates: Probably the most sturdy proof to me is the best way Mr. Pankey carried out himself from the time this occurred up till his indictment. …The bucket of weird means lots to me. … It builds a extremely, actually sturdy circumstantial case, in my thoughts. Richard Schlesinger: Properly, in some unspecified time in the future, your— your identify got here outta that bucket of weird. Mayor John Gates: Sure — it did. And that is why Gates turned a prosecution witness. He testified a few name he bought again in 2019, a few weird declare Pankey made in a letter to the media. MAYOR JOHN GATES: I used to be … sitting at my desk in the future a while again. And had a name from a journalist in Idaho. … that instructed me that I would been named as an individual of curiosity on this case by Mr. Pankey. And I believe my jaw in all probability hit my desk, and I stated, "What?" In one other jaw-dropping transfer, in that very same letter Pankey additionally named himself as an individual of curiosity, whereas nonetheless insisting he is harmless. Anthony Viorst: Mr. Pankey loves the limelight. He simply does, for no matter purpose. Richard Schlesinger: It is a hell of a strategy to get the limelight. Is not it? Anthony Viorst: It is not a great way. … I would not advocate it to anybody. For Pankey, it may need began getting somewhat scorching below the limelight, if you'll, when the state's star witness, Angela Hicks, took the stand. She is Steven Pankey's ex-wife. DA ROBERT MILLER: Describe what occurs on December 21 at your home. That was simply in the future after Jonelle disappeared. Angela Hicks says her then-husband got here residence and seemingly out of the blue, introduced they had been leaving on that journey to California — they usually had been leaving rapidly. ANGELA HICKS: He stated, "get us able to go. We're leaving earlier than daylight tomorrow morning to go to Massive Bear for Christmas." Hicks says on their method again to Greeley, Pankey insisted she activate the radio. She says that shocked her as a result of Pankey had forbidden radio and tv use of their home, a few yr earlier. ANGELA HICKS: "No extra music, no TV, no radio, no newspapers. That is going to be a godly residence." However Angela Hicks says that day, her ex-husband was obsessed — making her flip the dial looking for information about Jonelle's disappearance. DA ROBERT MILLER: How lengthy had been you driving as you flipped stations searching for information tales about Jonelle Matthews? ANGELA HICKS: Um, I imply, a number of hours. As soon as again in Greeley, she says Pankey drove proper previous their home, straight to the grocery retailer, the place he made her purchase the native papers and seek for information about Jonelle. ANGELA HICKS: He needed me to learn every article out loud to him. Hicks stated Pankey, through the years, would deliver up Jonelle or react unusually when others did. And he or she bought actually involved when she discovered a word within the trash. ANGELA HICKS: And one of many issues notated in his handwriting on this piece of authorized paper was snow exterior the Matthews home was raked. Bear in mind these footprints within the snow that someone, presumably Jonelle's abductor, tried to hide utilizing a backyard rake? Prosecutors say solely the Matthews household, investigators and presumably the killer knew about them. However apparently Pankey knew. He even talked about them in a 2019 dialog, with investigators. Anthony Viorst: That's arguably the one piece of proof that arguably ties Mr. Pankey to the crime. I imply … Richard Schlesinger: Arguably? They by no means launched the details about the rake. Anthony Viorst: So, here is what I will say … It is our place that it was divulged by regulation enforcement. All proper? Richard Schlesinger: By the police. Anthony Viorst: Yeah, they instructed him. All proper? And moreover, Viorst instructed the jury that Pankey wasn't the one one that knew about these raked footprints. ANTHONY VIORST: Norris Drake, Girls and gents, knew that the footprints had been raked. Norris Drake. Viorst claims that he's Jonelle's killer. Within the years after Jonelle disappeared, Drake was arrested on a number of unrelated misdemeanor costs. ANTHONY VIORST: Norris Drake murdered Jonelle Matthews. Kelly Werthmann: I imply, as a reporter, you begin lookin' round … tryin' to do some looking of who this individual is. Kelly Werthmann and others protecting the trial had by no means heard the identify Norris Drake earlier than, however—not like Pankey—Drake had been questioned by police about Jonelle's disappearance. His mom and sister lived throughout the road from the Matthews residence, and he was at his mom's home the night time Jonelle was taken. Kelly Werthmann: There have been no indicators of a battle contained in the Matthews residence … he might've been somebody that Jonelle had both seen earlier than … She would possibly've willingly opened the door, let him in; would possibly've willingly gone with him if he had stated … "one thing occurred to your loved ones, include me." ANTHONY VIORST: In order that's why there was no battle, all proper? As a result of Norris Drake bought her to depart the home. On the night time Jonelle vanished, Drake was unaccounted for for a number of hours. However when did he go lacking? Police stopped investigating him when his mom instructed them Drake was nonetheless along with her — in her home — on the time Jonelle is believed to have disappeared. Kelly Werthman: Nevertheless it raised some vital and, I believe, necessary questions. And Viorst had extra, primarily based on testimony by a former girlfriend of Drake's. ANTHONY VIORST: Norris Drake had an curiosity in younger ladies who had just lately reached puberty, precisely what Jonelle was, precisely. Norris Drake died in 2007, however many thought Viorst's principle about him helped Pankey's case. However probably the most talkative individual on this case had but to be heard from. Pankey himself would take the stand. DA MICHAEL ROURKE The truest factor you've got ever stated is you are a grasp manipulator, proper? STEVEN PANKEY: Perhaps. When Steven Pankey swore to inform the reality and nothing however the reality, Gloria and Jim Matthews had been hoping to lastly get to the reality, about their daughter, Jonelle's, homicide. Jim Matthews: Hopefully we'll know the situation of what occurred that night time. However Pankey has by no means been a person with clear solutions. STEVEN PANKEY: Within the little jail cubicle earlier than developing right here, I used to be praying and I used to be considering, God, possibly I should not testify … As a result of I would be simply telling extra lies. Now below oath, Pankey stated it was time to say in truth that he was liar … till now. STEVEN PANKEY: So, the reality is that I made a whole lot of stuff up out of bitterness. Like that story he as soon as instructed regulation enforcement about his father-in-law. STEVEN PANKEY: He instructed me that a cop had contacted him and stated that he had a physique he needed to be buried. STEVEN PANKEY: I had instructed so many lies. That was one in every of many lies, says Pankey, meant to focus on individuals he hated, like his father-in-law, and Mayor John Gates. STEVEN PANKEY: It was a well mannered method of flipping them the hen. It was pure hatred on my half. Richard Schlesinger: Is that in any method plausible to you? Mayor John Gates: It is to not me, ah, Richard. However take into accout, I am a 26-year regulation enforcement veteran. So, I could be somewhat extra cynical than the typical individual. STEVEN PANKEY: It was simply me making an attempt to be an enormous man, be within the case, OK? I had no information. Pankey made an uncommon witness in his personal protection. STEVEN PANKEY: … one lie results in one other. Pankey says it was lies that led to him being charged with homicide, however not his lies; his ex-wife Angela Hicks' lies fueled by her want for revenge. STEVEN PANKEY: I had by no means imagined Angie could be as large a liar as I'm. Pankey refuted his ex-wife's declare that their journey to California two mornings after Jonelle disappeared was sudden — insisting it had lengthy been deliberate. STEVEN PANKEY A month, three weeks, two months, I do not know, earlier than December. He agreed they had been listening to the radio on their method again to Greeley. STEVEN PANKEY: That is the primary time I heard that there was a lacking youngster. However denied he was obsessive about the information. Kelly Werthmann: I believe it is, it is her phrase towards his. So, the protection clearly has to show, sure, he is an admitted liar however he is not mendacity now. Pankey was on the stand for 2 days giving testimony that was usually rambling and exhausting to observe, and generally head-scratching. STEVEN PANKEY: I wanna again up somewhat bit. ANTHONY VIORST: Mr. Pankey, I am gonna ask you to reply my questions somewhat extra instantly should you do not thoughts. STEVEN PANKEY: I spent a few hours within the basement jail space with my legal professional… and he was speaking to me about my testimony … Mr. Viorst was saying to me — 'trigger I'd give sure issues and he'd say, "effectively, that is a very good reply." … After which I would say different issues and he'd say, "effectively, that is bull—— no person's going to purchase that." ANTHONY VIORST: He lives in a world of conspiracy, paranoia and low shallowness. In his closing argument, Viorst, who's a lawyer, not a psychiatrist, raised critical questions on his consumer's psychological well being. ANTHONY VIORST: Mr. Pankey does have a psychological sickness. Richard Schlesinger: Pankey's protection lawyer instructed me that he thought his consumer could be mentally sick. If that is the speculation of the protection, did Pankey's time on the stand assist him or damage him? Mayor John Gates: I might see that goin' both method. However the state noticed it going their method. DA ROBERT MILLER: He is not somebody that has a psychological well being dysfunction, he is a grasp manipulator. On November 2, 2021, the jurors bought the case. And two days later they had been again. JUDGE TIMOTHY KERNS: Has the jury reached a unanimous verdict on depend quantity 4? Rely 4: making false studies to authorities. JUDGE TIMOTHY KERNS: We the jury discover the defendant Steven Dana Pankey responsible. Mayor John Gates: I believe that half would possibly've match into the no-brainer class. The opposite counts had been — had been way more advanced than that, for my part. On these different counts, the precise homicide costs, the jury deadlocked and couldn't come to a unanimous verdict. JUDGE TIMOTHY KERNS: I notice the jury was unable to achieve a verdict on the opposite counts and that could be a completely acceptable method for a trial to conclude. The decide declared a mistrial. And as of now, no person has been convicted of murdering Jonelle. Mayor John Gates: The jury doubtless was conflicted on was Mr. Pankey, in truth, somebody that kidnapped and murdered Jonelle Matthews? Or was he one which simply surrounded himself with unusual, weird habits for years? For the household of Jonelle Matthews, the information was so devastating they did not wish to talk about it. Kelly Werthmann: To not have that definitive reply … It is irritating. It is emotional. It is exhausting. They usually might must do all of it once more. Prosecutors have introduced they're prepared for a brand new trial, as a result of they nonetheless imagine Jonelle was killed by Steven Pankey. Richard Schlesinger: What do you suppose occurred to your sister? Jennifer Mogensen: I do not know specifics. … however he took her … he shot her. After which he buried her and went on together with his life. And he or she couldn't go on with hers. Steven Pankey is in custody awaiting a brand new trial date. Produced by Judy Rybak. Claire St. Amant is the event producer. Doreen Schechter is the producer-editor. Ryan N. Smith is a improvement producer. Jordan Kinsey, Elizabeth Caholo and Lauren A. White are the sphere producers. Ken Blum and Jud Johnston are the editors. Chelsea Narvaez is the affiliate producer. Patti Aronofsky is the senior producer. Nancy Kramer is the chief story editor. Judy Tygard is the chief producer. Josh Gelman, a multi-award-winning producer for "48 Hours," died Tuesday night, January 4, on the age of 62, after a protracted, brave battle with most cancers. In his almost three-decade profession at CBS Information, Josh displayed his quite a few abilities as an editor, producer, author and photographer. His supreme reward was discovering, capturing, and deploying photographs that exposed the emotion and deeper meanings on the coronary heart of each story. Josh was additionally beloved as a colleague who all the time took the time to mentor, to show, to assist. 
A HAUNTING CASE
A COLD CASE HEATS UP
THE SERIAL POLITICAL CANDIDATE
THE CASE AGAINST STEVEN PANKEY
PANKEY TAKES THE STAND
IN TRIBUTE
Josh Gelman, "48 Hours" producer who embodied bravery and hope, dies of most cancers
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