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Jonelle Matthews murder suspect to undergo psych evaluation as defense asserts condition led to unreliable statements – Greeley Tribune
May 28, 2021
The 69-year-old man accused of kidnapping and murdering 12-year-old Jonelle Matthews decades ago in Greeley will undergo a psychological evaluation before the trial, following prosecutors’ receipt of a report indicating the man has a disorder that led him to make unreliable statements about the case over the years.
Steve Pankey appeared in court Friday with defense attorney Anthony Viorst for a motions hearing before the case goes to a jury trial this summer.
[.....]
In deliberating on certain motions, Weld District Judge Timothy Kerns stressed the importance of not admitting evidence that should be inadmissible according to statutes and case law, so as to avoid any possibilities of a mistrial. Pankey’s litigious history and numerous contacts with police appeared to complicate prosecutors’ case against him, as the trial is not to determine Pankey’s character, but whether there is enough evidence to prove he kidnapped and murdered Jonelle.
[.....]
The hearing offered some clues as to how prosecutors and Viorst intend to make their cases. Prosecutors said Viorst filed late Thursday a report indicating Pankey has been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, suggesting Pankey’s numerous comments about Jonelle’s disappearance in contacts with law enforcement and in court filings weren’t indicative of guilt.
[.....]
Weld District Attorney Michael Rourke and Weld Deputy District Attorney Lacy Wells expressed concerns about the admissibility of the report without a psychological evaluation conducted by the state. Not having had enough time to go over the details of the report and due to the complications of ordering an evaluation, an advisement for the evaluation is planned for 1:30 p.m. June 23.
Among the evidence deemed admissible Friday was a call Greeley Police Detective Robert Cash made to Pankey on April 8, 2019.
[.....]
Pankey indicated he’d need a “rock solid deal” in the presence of his attorney to reveal details of the case, Cash testified. But no right to counsel was invoked during the call, according to Cash.
Hearing the testimony, Viorst agreed the statements made on the call should not be supressed.
[......]
With the psychological evaluation and its elements pending, the trial date of July 12 was vacated. Another motions hearing has been set for 1:30 p.m. July 21.
A lot more in article - can't post it all....
May 28, 2021
The 69-year-old man accused of kidnapping and murdering 12-year-old Jonelle Matthews decades ago in Greeley will undergo a psychological evaluation before the trial, following prosecutors’ receipt of a report indicating the man has a disorder that led him to make unreliable statements about the case over the years.
Steve Pankey appeared in court Friday with defense attorney Anthony Viorst for a motions hearing before the case goes to a jury trial this summer.
[.....]
In deliberating on certain motions, Weld District Judge Timothy Kerns stressed the importance of not admitting evidence that should be inadmissible according to statutes and case law, so as to avoid any possibilities of a mistrial. Pankey’s litigious history and numerous contacts with police appeared to complicate prosecutors’ case against him, as the trial is not to determine Pankey’s character, but whether there is enough evidence to prove he kidnapped and murdered Jonelle.
[.....]
The hearing offered some clues as to how prosecutors and Viorst intend to make their cases. Prosecutors said Viorst filed late Thursday a report indicating Pankey has been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, suggesting Pankey’s numerous comments about Jonelle’s disappearance in contacts with law enforcement and in court filings weren’t indicative of guilt.
[.....]
Weld District Attorney Michael Rourke and Weld Deputy District Attorney Lacy Wells expressed concerns about the admissibility of the report without a psychological evaluation conducted by the state. Not having had enough time to go over the details of the report and due to the complications of ordering an evaluation, an advisement for the evaluation is planned for 1:30 p.m. June 23.
Among the evidence deemed admissible Friday was a call Greeley Police Detective Robert Cash made to Pankey on April 8, 2019.
[.....]
Pankey indicated he’d need a “rock solid deal” in the presence of his attorney to reveal details of the case, Cash testified. But no right to counsel was invoked during the call, according to Cash.
Hearing the testimony, Viorst agreed the statements made on the call should not be supressed.
[......]
With the psychological evaluation and its elements pending, the trial date of July 12 was vacated. Another motions hearing has been set for 1:30 p.m. July 21.
A lot more in article - can't post it all....
