Found Deceased CO - Jonelle Matthews, 12, Greeley, 20 Dec 1984 *arrest 2020*

[Cat01]

I too have read news articles written about him, watched the televised interviews and listened to the behavior analysts on the video.

Is it just me? Am I missing something? Because based on everything I have observed Pankey does not strike me as a man of brilliant intellect who is capable of planning and executing a complex crime. In fact during interviews he appears to have an altered perception of reality and his thinking is clearly disorganized. From all reports I have read he has had difficulty maintaining consistent employment but is so delusional that he believed he could govern an entire state actually running for office with none of the necessary qualifications. And when he obviously was not elected he then turned on a dime and tried unsuccessfully to run for sheriff. Pankey’s erratic behavior seems contrary to the characteristics one would need to possess in order to be an organized killer.

I am leaning toward Occam’s Razor. The most simplest explanation is usually the right one.

Switch of gears here:
I am curious about the Sunny View Church of the Nazarene. Is anyone familiar or have knowledge of this religion? Does anyone have friends or acquaintances that attended the church in Greeley?

 

[Swedish Sleuth]

I agree SP is altered and delusional but I think he could pull this off. I still wonder how he knew about the footprints, rake and a blanket. I was reading a post at the beginning of this forum, someone said they knew one of the detectives who said there was a blanket missing.

Has anyone heard or seen anything how the extradition hearing went today?

 

[Swedish Sleuth]

This was the earlier post I was referring to:


I knew one of the men who investigated on this case. The caller had nothing to do with the case, and had been investigated. Many many details are left out of the case. The rape theory is from the fact that the stockings and I think the underwear were also found at the scene. There was also a sign of a struggle there. I believe a blanket was also missing from the scene. Jonelle was either killed or incapacitated and then taken from the scene. The investigators knew this because there were only one set of footprints at the scene. The investigative techniques of the police department were good, but they didnt really have the insights they have today. There is a strong possibility that someone who saw her at the concert stalked her and followed her home. That is where I think the suspect came from

 

[PayrollNerd]

I too have read news articles written about him, watched the televised interviews and listened to the behavior analysts on the video.

Is it just me? Am I missing something? Because based on everything I have observed Pankey does not strike me as a man of brilliant intellect who is capable of planning and executing a complex crime. In fact during interviews he appears to have an altered perception of reality and his thinking is clearly disorganized. From all reports I have read he has had difficulty maintaining consistent employment but is so delusional that he believed he could govern an entire state actually running for office with none of the necessary qualifications. And when he obviously was not elected he then turned on a dime and tried unsuccessfully to run for sheriff. Pankey’s erratic behavior seems contrary to the characteristics one would need to possess in order to be an organized killer.

I am leaning toward Occam’s Razor. The most simplest explanation is usually the right one.

Switch of gears here:
I am curious about the Sunny View Church of the Nazarene. Is anyone familiar or have knowledge of this religion? Does anyone have friends or acquaintances that attended the church in Greeley?

Pankey’s education was in criminal justice if I’m remembering correctly. That would have given him an idea of what mistakes criminals make and how to solve crimes. That edge may have helped him cover his tracks. I agree he is not the brightest bulb in the pack. JMO

Also, schizophrenia tends to develop later in life. I have /had a close friend suffer from this. She’s declined without treatment, called police believing people were trying to kill her, eventually lost her home and her only child has to limit contact. It is possible Pankey’s delusions are related to his underlying, possibly undiagnosed, mental illness. JMO

 

[JudgeJoe]

This was the earlier post I was referring to:


I knew one of the men who investigated on this case. The caller had nothing to do with the case, and had been investigated. Many many details are left out of the case. The rape theory is from the fact that the stockings and I think the underwear were also found at the scene. There was also a sign of a struggle there. I believe a blanket was also missing from the scene. Jonelle was either killed or incapacitated and then taken from the scene. The investigators knew this because there were only one set of footprints at the scene. The investigative techniques of the police department were good, but they didnt really have the insights they have today. There is a strong possibility that someone who saw her at the concert stalked her and followed her home. That is where I think the suspect came from

If SA is more than a theory, modern forensics lab would be able to get a dna profile from the tights/ underwear. Pankey seems super confident his dna is not in evidence- based on his “cold case with no dna” essay. Imo stated in innuendo- not directly.

It could be possible he followed whatshisname (driver) not JM due to his escalating feud- and witnessed the crime? Probably not, but with most of the elements of that indictment circumstantial, it might not be hard for defense to create doubt. I wish we knew what else LE has kept under wraps. Conjecture.

 

[Swedish Sleuth]

If SA is more than a theory, modern forensics lab would be able to get a dna profile from the tights/ underwear. Pankey seems super confident his dna is not in evidence- based on his “cold case with no dna” essay. Imo stated in innuendo- not directly.

It could be possible he followed whatshisname (driver) not JM due to his escalating feud- and witnessed the crime? Probably not, but with most of the elements of that indictment circumstantial, it might not be hard for defense to create doubt. I wish we knew what else LE has kept under wraps. Conjecture.

I wouldn’t rule out SA but if that happened I doubt it was at the house. Praying if SP did this LE has something concrete we haven’t heard about

 

[crhedBngr]

Here is a new MSM article, published 10/23/20 (today) at 3:41 p.m. MST.

Jonelle Matthews case: Who is Steve Pankey?

ETA: I briefly skimmed the above article. There is some background on his father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

JMVHO.

 

[Niner]

Any news on his extradition hearing in Idaho? Just checked the Colorado court site- not there yet....

TIA!

 

[watcher9]

Any news on his extradition hearing in Idaho? Just checked the Colorado court site- not there yet....

TIA!

Found this.

Pankey appeared in court Friday and an order of dismissal was placed for his fugitive to Idaho charge....He will be held without bail until the state of Colorado comes to retrieve him and return him to Colorado.

Former Idaho governor candidate to be extradited on homicide charge

 

[Swedish Sleuth]

Found this.

Pankey appeared in court Friday and an order of dismissal was placed for his fugitive to Idaho charge....He will be held without bail until the state of Colorado comes to retrieve him and return him to Colorado.

Former Idaho governor candidate to be extradited on homicide charge

THANK YOU!!!

 

[crhedBngr]

Any news on his extradition hearing in Idaho? Just checked the Colorado court site- not there yet....

TIA!

@Niner :

Per the link below, SP still shows up on the Idaho inmate roster. However, this online database is updated every 24 hours, so Fridays hearing results may not be posted today (10/24/20).

This database is updated every 24 hours so recent changes in the status of inmates may not appear in this online database.

Idaho Inmate Roster Search Link: Inmate Roster

ETA: Thanks, @watcher9 , for the article link!!

 

[Niner]

@Niner :

Per the link below, SP still shows up on the Idaho inmate roster. However, this online database is updated every 24 hours, so Fridays hearing results may not be posted today (10/24/20).



Idaho Inmate Roster Search Link: Inmate Roster

ETA: Thanks, @watcher9 , for the article link!!

Thanks for the link - but it doesn't work for me...

and @watcher9 - thanks for the article!

 

[crhedBngr]

Thanks for the link - but it doesn't work for me...

and @watcher9 - thanks for the article!

Ugh, I always forget you can't access U.S. links.

Apologies!

 

[sbcjester21]

Hi. I'm new here, but I've been lurking since Jonelle was found. I have many thoughts and information, but for now, I just want to pipe in on one thing that people here swear by, but I feel is inherently false.

/Rant
The idea that you can't dig into "frozen" ground. This is not true. Depending on weather patterns in Greeley for the month of Dec 1984 (which I have not been able to find) the ground may not even had been frozen. Fresh snow does not automatically = frozen ground. Also, soil doesn't freeze all that deep in temperate climate zones. The upper crust is hard yes, but once you get past that, it's not any more difficult than it would be any other time of year, other than the fact that the air temperature is cold. A determined person CAN dig a hole in early winter. I know this because I have done such work. It's difficult and it sucks, but it certainly can be done. If you doubt me, winter is closing in. In Dec, go out and try to dig a hole. If you have a normal amount of strength, you should find once you get the hole started, it gets much easier. I will also submit here, that the soil in that area is extremely soft. Almost sandy. You can dig a hole 4ft deep in under an hour. In adverse weather conditions, call it 2 hours to dig a hole deep enough that the body isn't likely to be found or dug up by animals. Also, I have yet to find an article that says the body was so deep as to require heavy equipment. Heavy equipment found her yes, but that was completely by chance and there's nothing citing that it would've been a requirement.

/End Rant

Also, the list of the usual alternate suspects have ALL been thorough vetted, and of them all Pankey is the only one who is a realistic candidate. As with what a few others have said though, be careful in calling Pankey guilty before trial. That's not how America is supposed to work. The state has to PROVE he's guilty. Of the publicly released evidence, there is NO physical evidence to link him to the crime. Everything is circumstantial. The state is always going to make the accused LOOK guilty. That's their job! But people are wrongly convicted all time. I'm not saying that's the case here, but just be cautious in throwing stones. That said, regardless if he's really the killer or not, I think he's going to be found guilty and will die in prison. So hopefully he's the one, and not just some <modsnip> who got "lucky" in guessing a crime scene clue.

Also, here's a video of the entire announcement of Pankey's indictment. The audio has been improved so the questions are a little easier to hear.

 

[Niner]

snipped by me...
Also, the list of the usual alternate suspects have ALL been thorough vetted, and of them all Pankey is the only one who is a realistic candidate. As with what a few others have said though, be careful in calling Pankey guilty before trial. That's not how America is supposed to work. The state has to PROVE he's guilty.

Yes - he is innocent until proven guilty - but this is a discussion forum - and we can state our opinion of his guilty or not guilty.

and

to WS & this thread!

 

[sbcjester21]

Yes - he is innocent until proven guilty - but this is a discussion forum - and we can state our opinion of his guilty or not guilty.

and

to WS & this thread!

Of course you can state your opinions. Just as I'm stating mine. It's also my opinion that people like to assume just because the police SAY someone is guilty, then they are thereby automatically guilty. That is a dangerous mindset to have. What if someone you love is wrongly accused. Do you want everyone on websleuths and reddit calling for life in prison or execution? Just keep in mind that people are wrongfully convicted everyday. The system doesn't play fair. The accused, unless they have money, are at an instant disadvantage. The prosecution can lie, withhold evidence and they'll never be held accountable. The cops can lie on the stand and they'll never be held accountable. This happens every day.

But again, I don't say he's innocent. There's a better than fair chance that he did it. But until the prosecutors present their evidence, and it becomes public, will anyone outside LE be able to make a truly informed opinion. But we can certainly still speculate on available evidence and learn more about the world in the process.

 

[Swedish Sleuth]

Of course you can state your opinions. Just as I'm stating mine. It's also my opinion that people like to assume just because the police SAY someone is guilty, then they are thereby automatically guilty. That is a dangerous mindset to have. What if someone you love is wrongly accused. Do you want everyone on websleuths and reddit calling for life in prison or execution? Just keep in mind that people are wrongfully convicted everyday. The system doesn't play fair. The accused, unless they have money, are at an instant disadvantage. The prosecution can lie, withhold evidence and they'll never be held accountable. The cops can lie on the stand and they'll never be held accountable. This happens every day.

But again, I don't say he's innocent. There's a better than fair chance that he did it. But until the prosecutors present their evidence, and it becomes public, will anyone outside LE be able to make a truly informed opinion. But we can certainly still speculate on available evidence and learn more about the world in the process.

I can’t imagine anyone wanting SP to be convicted of Jonelle’s murder if he is innocent. I appreciate your post!

It would be a nightmare to have a family member accused or convicted of something they never did.
I have felt very sad for SP’s family, his other living son in particular. They are victims too.

Unfortunately there have been way too many people convicted that are innocent.
We see that everyday. And cops who lie? Without a doubt.

I am still leaning towards SP being guilty.

 

[sbcjester21]

Greeley tribune this morning:
The unredacted (autopsy) report offers an analysis for a single gunshot wound to the skull.
A bullet entered the left frontal bone of the skull, about 1.3 inches below the top of the head and about 1.4 inches left of the midline. The bullet exited out of the left occipital bone, downward at the back of the head. Based on the trajectory of the wound, the bullet perforated and lacerated the entire left cerebral hemisphere, from the frontal lobe to the occipital lobe.

Just to make this murder ever more horrific than it already is for most people... Consider the following. I couldn't find Spanky's height, but for the sake of argument let's say he's 6'. Jonelle was 5' 3". Now hold your hand out like a gun. Pointing straight at her head would not give that pronounced of a downward angle. There are only three realistic ways you can achieve that.

1. She was kneeling.
2. She was standing in her own grave.

Both of these imply she saw it coming.

Who does that??? I've heard about some horrific cases by serial killers, but that's sadistic as ****.

3. Possibly less insidious, but still unnecessarily brutal, she was laid flat on her back and the killer was facing her head towards her feet.

Still, this would all imply she was alive. Otherwise, why shoot her at all.

Anyway. It really kicks you in the feels.

 

[Swedish Sleuth]

Just to make this murder ever more horrific than it already is for most people... Consider the following. I couldn't find Spanky's height, but for the sake of argument let's say he's 6'. Jonelle was 5' 3". Now hold your hand out like a gun. Pointing straight at her head would not give that pronounced of a downward angle. There are only three realistic ways you can achieve that.

1. She was kneeling.
2. She was standing in her own grave.

Both of these imply she saw it coming.

Who does that??? I've heard about some horrific cases by serial killers, but that's sadistic as ****.

3. Possibly less insidious, but still unnecessarily brutal, she was laid flat on her back and the killer was facing her head towards her feet.

Still, this would all imply she was alive. Otherwise, why shoot her at all.

Anyway. It really kicks you in the feels.

I guess it’s good the majority of us find this horrifying!
And remember SP had a gun at the time. I’m doubting it was at her grave or there would have been a bullet close by.
I have no idea but wouldn’t being shot in the head create a lot of blood? Car got burned for a reason ??

 

[Rockfarmer]

......give that pronounced of a downward angle. There are only three realistic ways you can achieve that....

RSBM
Fourth could be accidental? What if she was being physically moved somewhere, one arm around her and the other holding the weapon pointed at her head. Resisting that would pull her backwards and potentially down.

BTW, welcome jester!