GUILTY IL - MeLisa Cleary, 30, brutally murdered, Mackinaw, 6 June 2008

[ohiogirl]

Did you notice the comment that his first wife was dead and he was a suspect? Does anyone know anything about that?

 

[leslie1960]

Husband Faces Murder Charges in Wife's Death

<snip>

"Two years after the disappearance and murder of a Tazewell County woman, her husband now faces murder charges.

"35-year old Daniel Cleary is charged with five counts of first degree murder in connection with the death of MeLisa Cleary of Mackinaw."

http://www.centralillinoisnewscenter.com/news/local/91037714.html

 

[ohiogirl]

This is an article about Mr. Cleary written in June, 2009.

http://www.pjstar.com/news/x99386115/Luciano-Dan-Cleary-vents-on-custody-situation

Lot of comments from people stating they are family members. fyi

 

[ohiogirl]

I truly do not understand why LE would release her body to the husband if he is being looked at for murder. What is up with that? They can call him a poi if they need to, but why let her be cremated?

 

[leslie1960]

took 2 freaking years to charge him?????????????????

jeesh.

anyone notice the irony of the friend of the victim? 'nicole simpson'

I know...I can't believe it's taken this long, but that tends to be the way things go in Tazewell County. I hope this means they have an iron-clad case!

 

[leslie1960]

Did you notice the comment that his first wife was dead and he was a suspect? Does anyone know anything about that?

That's the first I've heard of it...wonder if there's anything to it?

 

[leslie1960]

I truly do not understand why LE would release her body to the husband if he is being looked at for murder. What is up with that? They can call him a poi if they need to, but why let her be cremated?

I don't understand that, either. I remember when she was first reported missing, and her familiy and friends were already saying that there were some big problems in the marriage, that she was scared to death of her husband. Why they would release her body to HIM is beyond my understanding. I was especially suspicious when he wanted her cremated. I am quite certain that law enforcement already saw him as a suspect; it's a pity that he was allowed to have final say over her remains. I'd imagine it was a legal thing - they were still married, so he had the legal right, but why was he so adamant about it? Why not at least consider his wife's family's wishes?

If he'd at least been named a POI, could they have prevented him from having the right to her remains? :waitasec:

 

[fran]

This is an article about Mr. Cleary written in June, 2009.

http://www.pjstar.com/news/x99386115/Luciano-Dan-Cleary-vents-on-custody-situation

Lot of comments from people stating they are family members. fyi

Wow! The 'comments' section was more interesting than the article itself! Just wow!

Looks like Dan Cleary was originally from California and he and his wife lived in Washington State before moving to Il. Wonder what the deal is on his ex-gf who it's alleged was attacked and left for dead and allegations of him being wanted in Washington State for 'arson?'

Interesting...............

Glad he's finally been arrested for his wife's murder. Maybe there's still hope yet for justice for Lisa Stebic.

All these wife murders, it's so scary and sad.

JMHO
fran

 

[leslie1960]

Luciano: Sister of slain woman rests easier

For the first time in nearly two years, Brandy Gerard slept with her windows open Thursday night.

That's how certain she's been that Daniel Cleary killed her sister, MeLisa Cleary. That's how much she feared he might strike again, against Gerard.

And that's why, when she got a call from law-enforcement Thursday morning about Cleary's arrest in his wife's murder, Gerard couldn't help but scream: "Yahhh! Yessssss!"

http://www.pjstar.com/news/luciano/x53547476/Luciano-Sister-of-slain-woman-rests-easier

Husband held on $3 million bond in wife's slaying

PEKIN--Brandy Gerard squealed with delight Friday when she saw her sister's alleged killer dressed in blue prison garb and wearing shackles on his hands and feet.

"I was just excited," said Gerard. "It's nice to see him all cuffed up and not able to go anywhere."

The man, who legally still is her brother-in-law, is Daniel K. Cleary, 35, of Normal. The body of her sister, MeLisa D. Cleary, 30, a mother of three, was found June 9, 2008, just outside Lincoln under a bridge, next to railroad tracks.

She was reported missing by her family two days earlier. She died from crushing impact injuries to her head and neck.

http://www.pjstar.com/news/tricounty/x1394793259/Husband-of-Mackinaw-murder-victim-arrested

 

[BeanE]

Family relieved: Husband charged with five counts of murder

Pekin Daily Times
Sat Apr 17, 2010, 08:00 AM CDT

This is a long article with lots of info

http://www.pekintimes.com/news/x749204098/Family-relieved-Husband-charged-with-five-counts-of-murder

 

[KeRoLe]

http://www.pekintimes.com/news/x1646546799/Cleary-seeks-release

Tazewell County Judge Michael Brandt ruled Monday that the defense team of accused murderer Daniel K. Cleary may have access to the juvenile case records of Cleary&#8217;s three children to see if there is any evidence there to help with his defense.

 

[scapa]

Forgive my ignorance -- why five counts of murder?

s

 

[leslie1960]

Jury gets first peek into Cleary case

By Sharon Woods Harris
Pekin Daily Times
posted Mar 02, 2011 @ 08:00 AM

PEKIN, Ill.--The jury hearing the case of accused murderer Daniel K. Cleary heard in opening arguments Tuesday afternoon that MeLisa Cleary was tossed from an I-155 overpass after she was beaten to the point that she was unrecognizable.

Daniel, 36, is accused of murdering his wife, MeLisa, 31, on or about June 6, 2008.

Prosecution

Tazewell County Assistant State's Attorney Larry Evans told jurors that MeLisa was staying with a friend on the weekends because she feared her husband. The relationship, he said, was not a healthy one.

Evans said MeLisa couldn't even go to the bathroom without being monitored in her own home. Her husband insisted on knowing every aspect of her life during their 11-year relationship, said Evans.

Just prior to her death she had told her husband that she wanted a divorce. Evans said the jury will hear from one witness who said Daniel told his wife, "If you ever try to leave me, I will kill you."

Evans said MeLisa's then 12-year old daughter will testify that her mother told her she was getting a divorce and that if anything happened to her, Daniel was responsible.

Daniel came home early from work on June 6, 2008, finding MeLisa at home. Evans said a huge argument ensued. The couple's daughter came into the home after the argument and told police investigating MeLisa's disappearance that her father looked liked he had been in some sort of altercation. He told her not to go into the garage, said Evans.

But, said Evans, the child did not listen. She went to get her purse out of the SUV and allegedly saw a large bundle wrapped in blankets in the back. Evans said that reported that to the police after she and her siblings had been removed from their father's custody.

MeLisa's body was found by a railroad worker in June 9, 2008. Her eye socket was crushed, her skull was fractured and her jaw was crushed. Police identified her by a tattoo on her lower back. There also was a chemical poured on MeLisa's face, McKinney said.

http://www.pekintimes.com/news/x868511215/Jury-gets-first-peek-into-Cleary-case

 

[BrownRice]

She was strikingly pretty.

 

[leslie1960]

She really was - far too good for the person she had the misfortune to marry. I find it particularly horrifying that he had custody of the children after MeLisa went "missing." How frightening that must have been for those kids, especially the daughter who likely had a very good idea that her father was responsible for her mother's disappearance!

 

[leslie1960]

Witness: MeLisa Cleary said, "Will you take my children if anything happens to me?"''

By Sharon Woods Harris
Pekin Daily Times
Posted Mar 02, 2011 @ 01:04 PM
Last update Mar 02, 2001 @ 01:42 PM

PEKIN, Ill.--The woman who gave shelter to MeLisa Cleary in the weeks prior to her death told jurors in the Daniel K. Cleary murder trial that two weeks before her death MeLisa asked for their help.

"She asked to speak to us -- she had a very serious face," said Nicole Simpson, MeLisa's friend and boss. "She said, 'If anything ever happens to me will you take my kids?'"

Simpson said she asked MeLisa if something more had happened in her relationship with her husband, Daniel Cleary, who she said had previously told MeLisa that, "I'll never let you out of this marriage -- I'll kill you first. No one else will ever have you."

After being asked to care for her children, Simpson said, "I was starting to get worried about her well-being."

http://www.pekintimes.com/newsnow/x...ou-take-my-children-if-anything-happens-to-me

 

[Fairy1]

A sister of MeLisa Cleary testified Thursday that Daniel Cleary had threatened to kill her sister, but also contradicted previous statements she had made and admitted she threatened the state’s attorney’s child when Daniel Cleary was not initially arrested for the slaying.

As with other friends of MeLisa Cleary who have already testified, the sister, Brandy Gerard, also did not include details of threatening remarks by Daniel Cleary in her initial statements to police.

http://www.pjstar.com/news/x1512115524/Sister-of-MeLisa-Cleary-threatened-states-attorneys-daughter

Not a brilliant move on her sister's part, but I understand the family's frustration. It took a loooooooong time for them to arrest MeLisa's (alleged) killer.

 

[leslie1960]

Day three of Daniel Cleary Murder Trial

By WEEK Producer
March 3, 2011

Updated March 3, 2011 at 10:23
PM CST

Daniel Cleary is charged with the 2008 murder of his wife, MeLisa.

Thursday, an Illinois State Crime Scene Investigator testified that blood splatter was found inside the garage at the Cleary home in Mackinaw.

Master Sgt. Michael Oyer said that the blood spots were found on the floor and the inside of an overhead garage door...as well as inside the Cleary's Ford Expedition.

Oyer also testified that there was blood found on the passenger side wheel of the Ford.

http://www.centralillinoisnewscente...-of-Daniel-Cleary-Murder-Trial-117379018.html

(Video included at above captioned website)

 

[leslie1960]

MeLisa: 'Will you take my kids...?'

By Sharon Woods Harris
Pekin Daily Times
Posted Mar 03, 2011 @ 08:00 AM

PEKIN, Ill. -- The woman who MeLisa Cleary stayed with in the weeks prior to her death told jurors Wednesday in the Daniel K. Cleary murder trial that two weeks before her death MeLisa asked her and her fiance for their help.

"She asked to speak to us -- she had a very serious face," said Nicole Simpson, MeLisa's friend and boss. "She said, 'If anything ever happens to me will you take my kids?'"

Simpson said she asked MeLisa if something more had happened in her relationship with her husband, Daniel Cleary, who reportedly had previously told MeLisa that, "I'll never let you out of this marriage -- I'll kill you first. No one else will ever have you."

http://www.pekintimes.com/news/x1174964818/MeLisa-Will-you-take-my-kids

This appears to be a rewrite of an earlier article. It is much longer and has far more information than the previous one; thought I'd share this too.

 

[KeRoLe]

This was from March 10, 2011
I searched and didn't find anything posted since 3/4/2011


Daniel Cleary pronounced guilty; MeLisa's family find comfort
http://www.pekintimes.com/news/x698038585/Daniel-Cleary-pronounced-guilty-MeLisas-fPEKIN, Ill. &#8212;



An outcry of relief came from the family of murder victim MeLisa Cleary Wednesday as 10th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Stuart P. Borden read the verdict in MeLisa&#8217;s husband&#8217;s murder trial: guilty of first-degree murder.

The jury received the Daniel Cleary case at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday and was back with a verdict at 4:15 p.m. &#8212; less than three hours.
amily-find-comfort