Jonelle Matthews case: Steven Pankey, former political candidate, inserts himself into the case of a missing girl and ends up a murder suspect

 Jonelle Matthews disappeared from her household’s Greeley, Colorado, residence greater than 35 years in the past. For some time, the picture of the smiling 12-year-old was featured on milk cartons in search of lacking kids. However the case went chilly.

The one bodily proof discovered by police was a stranger’s shoeprints left within the snow – footprints somebody tried to cowl up utilizing a backyard rake. The case drew nationwide consideration.

“The police … had been working like hell to get this case cleared,” Greeley Mayor John Gates, a police officer on the time of Jonelle’s disappearance tells “48 Hours.”

In July 2019, a crew digging a pipeline discovered human remains, the sufferer of a gunshot. The coroner confirmed it was Jonelle.

“I did not need that to be Jonelle,” her mom Gloria Matthews tells “48 Hours” correspondent Richard Schlesinger. “I actually needed to not know.”

The invention of Jonelle’s physique was not the tip of the story. As a substitute, the investigation went right into a surprising new path.

Greater than three a long time after Jonelle’s disappearance, one-time Idaho gubernatorial candidate and former Greeley resident Steven Dana Pankey grew to become an individual of curiosity within the case.

Pankey has publicly stated he by no means met Jonelle Matthews. But, his indictment factors to repeated statements implicating Pankey – made by Pankey. He allegedly volunteered, with out being requested, what he claimed had been particulars about when Matthews died. He additionally drew up a listing of individuals of curiosity together with his title on it, based on the indictment.

Pankey has been charged with Jonelle’s homicide and can stand trial in July. He pleaded not responsible. “He is a talkative man,” says Anthony Viorst, Pankey’s legal professional. “However he is not a assassin.”

As a substitute, says Viorst, Pankey craves consideration. “Mr. Pankey needed to be an individual of curiosity,” Viorst says. “Mr. Pankey might have laid low. … No one would have charged him. … Mr. Pankey loves the limelight.”

WHERE IS JONELLE?

Jonelle Matthews’ mates Darla Jentzsch and Deanna Ross bear in mind rising up with Jonelle within the small Colorado metropolis of Greeley.

Darla Jentzsch: All of us lived with our entrance doorways open.

Deanna Ross: We rode our bikes loads round city. … We had sleepovers, birthday events. We simply had an enormous group of mates.

It is the sort of city realtors wish to name “a terrific place to lift youngsters.”

Darla Jentzsch: I am so lucky that we had been neighbors.

However in December of 1984, simply 5 days earlier than Christmas, Greeley discovered it couldn’t disguise 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.

Identical to that, Darla misplaced her childhood good friend.

Richard Schlesinger: Do you bear in mind being afraid?

Darla Jentzsch: Oh, yeah. I bear in mind being afraid.

Deanna Ross: As a group, 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 could occur, I might assume.

Jim Matthews: Mmm.

Gloria Matthews: Yeah.

Jim and Gloria Matthews had moved to Greeley simply six years earlier, to lift their younger daughters Jennifer and Jonelle.

Jennifer Mogensen: We had been comfortable.

Richard Schlesinger: Have been you a detailed household?

Jim Matthews: Undoubtedly. … 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.

A minimum of they did till that evening — December 20. That is when Jonelle went to sing in a college choir live performance.

Jim Matthews: She was considering any sort of performing factor.

Afterwards she obtained a experience residence with Deanna Ross and Deanna’s father. That was about 8 p.m.

Deanna Ross: Jonelle wanted a experience 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 nice.

Richard Schlesinger: And also you drove off considering what?

Deanna Ross: That I might see her the subsequent day, at college.

Jim Matthews: I got here residence on my own.

Jim Matthews recollects arriving residence at about 9:30 p.m. and located that his daughter wasn’t there.

Richard Schlesinger: Did it happen to you that perhaps 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 good friend’s home, however after calling round and ready a few half hour to an hour, Jim says he referred to as police.

Jim Matthews: They despatched two or three detectives out and began looking out the home for clues.

Mayor John Gates: I keep in mind that evening prefer it was yesterday.

Greeley’s Mayor John Gates was 27 years previous on the time and a police officer. He was referred to as to the scene.

Mayor John Gates: My task that evening … 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 against the law scene, supplied few clues. There was a notice from Jonelle, nevertheless it was only a cellphone message she had taken for her father shortly earlier than she vanished.

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, legislation 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 of 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 advised him he failed.

Jim Matthews: I simply saved telling him, I stated, “Hear, 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 after 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 onerous to maintain Jonelle’s story alive. 

Jim Matthews: The Rescue Jonelle Committee … made all types of issues occur.

They made headlines. Jonelle grew to become one of many first lacking kids whose picture appeared on milk cartons throughout America.

And even President Ronald Reagan obtained concerned. He talked about Jonelle in a speech about lacking kids.

PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN [March 7, 1985]: I discovered about Jonelle Matthews of Greeley, Colorado. … 5 days earlier than Christmas, Jonelle disappeared from her residence.

However Jonelle’s household and mates might solely appeal to that sort 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: All over the place we went I used to be all the time in search of her … I all the time had hope that I might discover her. … in my desires she all the time got here residence. You realize, she all the time got here residence. 

However in actuality, there was no signal of Jonelle.

LOCAL NEWS REPORT: A serious growth to inform you about in a thriller that’s greater than three a long time previous.

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 a whole 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.

Mayor John 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 might 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 desires to symbolize you.

He was an individual who certain was within the case. And made himself an individual of curiosity.

STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: I contacted the FBI.

STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: I knew greater than I needed to know, OK.

STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: I advised the FBI I need to discuss to you. It might or could not have one thing to do with the Jonelle Matthews case.

COLD CASE HEATS UP

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 and so they’re pointing them at me.

It belonged to Steven Pankey.

In a matter of days, the search was everywhere in 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 simply 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]: Ensure 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 is a reporter and anchor for Denver’s CBS station, KCNC. She additionally interviewed Pankey 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 discuss to your shopper?

Anthony Viorst: No. I can’t.

However by then, protection legal professional Anthony Viorst had silenced his chatty new shopper.

Anthony Viorst: Mr. Pankey likes to speak. He does. … to some extent, we’ll 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 title 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. … So, I bear in mind assembly him. 

Greeley Mayor and former police officer John Gates knew Steven Pankey, and says he was not thought of 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 data.

Anthony Viorst says his shopper has an alibi.

Richard Schlesinger: The place was he the evening Jonelle Matthews disappeared?

Anthony Viorst: He was at residence that evening together with his spouse and baby.

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 dad and mom 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 assume that is horrible, however a number of youngsters go lacking, you understand.

That is what he says he thought at first, however a month after Jonelle’s disappearance, Pankey instantly 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 need to discuss to you. It might or could 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 data.

STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]:  He advised me {that a} cop had contacted him and stated that he had a physique he needed to be buried.

Pankey advised KMVT that he shared the knowledge with the FBI, as a result of he feared that someway somebody may be attempting to implicate him in Jonelle’s homicide.

STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]:  I need to at the very least be on report that I talked to you, so I do not get probably 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, however 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. Actually, the day earlier than Jonelle disappeared, Pankey was arrested at a financial institution for harassment and felony trespass.

Anthony Viorst: He argued with a financial institution teller and the police had been referred to as.

The police and court docket information of what occurred with the fees are not public.

Anthony Viorst: The sort 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 assume it is greater than that and appear to be trying carefully at Pankey’s previous — probably together with a case from 1977, when a 26-year-old Pankey was charged with sexually assaulting a girl he met in church.

In a four-hour episode of the “Unfound” podcast recorded in November 2019, Pankey claims he was relationship 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 previous.

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. However Pankey’s lawyer says prosecutors will attempt to use it to make his shopper appear like an individual who’s able to homicide.

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: Does it have a bearing on this case?

Jim Matthews: I feel it does.

Richard Schlesinger: Yeah.

Jim Matthews: Sure.

Richard Schlesinger: Do you consider that he was a menace to kids in that church? 

Gloria Matthews: We do not know. 

However Anthony Viorst says he is not nervous.

Anthony Viorst: There is not any bodily proof in any way 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 few of the most weird stuff I’ve ever heard, and I have been across the block.

THE SERIAL POLITICAL CANDIDATE

About two years after 12-year-old Jonelle Matthews vanished from her residence in Greeley, Colorado, her household made the painful determination to pack up and go away city.

Jim Matthews: It’s important to go on with life. You may’t let this devour you.

Round that very same time, Steve Pankey, his younger son and his spouse, who was pregnant with their second son, additionally left Greeley.

STEVE PANKEY [“Unfound” podcast]: I needed to maneuver away …

In that podcast interview from November 2019, Pankey stated they moved primarily due to Jonelle’s disappearance.

STEVE PANKEY [“Unfound” podcast]: There’s anyone on the market who’s finished this to youngsters. So, I did not really feel overly secure with my youngsters there. 

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 fascinated with Jonelle.

STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: It will be behind my thoughts about this case … so I referred to 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 data.

However Pankey might need been extra than simply curious. In 1999 he advised the Idaho Supreme Courtroom, 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 to pressure” him “to develop into an informant” in Jonelle’s disappearance. He additionally wrote that he feared he may “get the loss of life 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: Nicely, 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 an odd 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 conduct, moments that, authorities consider 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 once 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 variety 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.

Richard Schlesinger: Why was he dwelling with you?

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 legislation enforcement, apart from being arrested, he ran for sheriff.

He misplaced, however Pankey nonetheless needed to be sheriff someplace. In 2008, he considered working in Twin Falls, the place he went to church with Ryan Horsley, a political advisor.

Ryan Horsley: I used to be sort of confused as a result of our native sheriff truly went to our church.

Richard Schlesinger: He needed to run in opposition to … a fellow church member?

Ryan Horsley: Yeah. … it simply appeared actually bizarre that he did not have a grievance in opposition to our native sheriff … it simply appeared like he was simply working simply to run.

Pankey might need thought higher about working 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 grew to become 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 hearth.

Richard Schlesinger: What made that marketing campaign a dumpster hearth?

Ryan Horsley: He ran underneath the Constitutional Social gathering. … 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 sort of glued to the headlines this entire time on simply his tales — that they simply did not make sense.

For the report, the Structure Social gathering denies Pankey or anybody else was exorcised — at the very least by them. In 2018, Pankey made a second try at changing into governor and to nobody’s shock, he misplaced. Ryan Horsley says that is when Pankey began gathering weapons.

Ryan Horsley: … out of the blue he started, um, buying firearms … and later came upon 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 attention-grabbing subsequent transfer: he ran for sheriff once more.

Ryan Horsley: I feel 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 at present 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.

However protection legal professional Anthony Viorst says he is not nervous, as a result of he says the case in opposition to his shopper is only a weak and circumstantial assortment of unusual behaviors.

Anthony Viorst: I do not wish to expose my protection, you understand, on nationwide tv … however I do not assume it’ll be any shock after I inform you that they have no motive in any way 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 legal professional’s workplace is prepared for trial.

DA MICHAEL ROURKE [to reporters]: The indictment that I’ve referred to was unsealed just a bit whereas in the past.

It is an eight-page doc that lays out what the prosecutors consider is their finest case in opposition to Steven Pankey.

THE CASE AGAINST STEVE PANKEY

In August 2019, after almost 35 years of agonizing over the mysterious disappearance of their daughter Jonelle, Gloria and Jim Matthews had been lastly capable of lay her to relaxation.

Jim Matthews: We knew that we needed to provide her a dignified burial and, which she so well-deserved. … Whenever you begin pouring filth into the grave after which watch the casket go down. …  I am not an actual emotional individual. However boy, simply the floodgates opened up for each of us.

Slightly greater than a 12 months later, a grand jury handed down the indictment in opposition to Steven Dana Pankey, charging that he “took Jonelle Matthews from her household residence … with out her consent and in opposition to her will …” and “… shot Jonelle Matthews in the course of the course of the kidnapping.”

Anthony Viorst | Pankey’s protection legal professional: No one ever reported a shot fired within the neighborhood.

Richard Schlesinger: They are saying that he owned a gun in 1984, that he lived inside a number of miles of Jonelle Matthews, and that he lived inside 10 miles of the place her physique was discovered. What do you make of these issues?

Anthony Viorst: Nicely, you in all probability simply described … 20 or 30,000 males in — within the Greeley metropolitan space. …  And the place the place the physique was discovered was … in a really distant location that he had no connection to.

The indictment cites a number of examples the place Pankey “Deliberately inserted himself within the investigation.” Together with a doc filed as a part of his personal divorce in 2003, the place, for causes which might be clear solely to Pankey, he wrote that Jonelle’s household ought to be advised she “died earlier than crossing tenth st. [sic]” That is near the place her choir live performance was held the evening she vanished.

Anthony Viorst: That is simply, you understand, pulled out of skinny air. I imply, it isn’t true. It is not based mostly on something.

Richard Schlesinger: He is simply making these items as much as be concerned within the case.

Anthony Viorst: Yeah.

He additionally suggested “to not give the household hope.”

Richard Schlesinger: Why would he interject himself into the case?

Anthony Viorst: I can not reply that as a result of I can not get into his head, however I do assume, once more, it is a mixture of kind of obsessive-compulsive conduct and, you understand, even perhaps psychological sickness.

Richard Schlesinger: For those who’re proper, they’ve fallen for the claims of a mentally unwell individual. These are skilled law enforcement officials. I imply, why would they try this?

Anthony Viorst: I am undecided that they, they know or consider that he is mentally unwell. … I do not assume they’ve a variety of coaching in psychological sickness.

Richard Schlesinger: Is not the easier clarification probably that he’s explaining what he did and why he did it?

Anthony Viorst: I suppose that will be the prosecution’s place. … however nothing he is ever stated truly implicates him within the homicide.

Greeley’s Mayor John Gates, strongly disagrees.

Mayor John Gates: Essentially the most sturdy proof to me is the best way Mr. Pankey carried out himself from the time this occurred up till his indictment.

STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: I’ve by no means stated I did it….

Mayor John Gates: The bucket of weird means loads to me.

STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: I knew greater than I needed to know, OK?

Mayor John Gates: It builds a very, actually sturdy circumstantial case, in my thoughts.

Richard Schlesinger: Attain into that bucket of weird, would you, Mr. Mayor, and pull out for me probably the most weird factor.

Mayor John Gates: Nicely, he knew her.

Pankey has all the time insisted that he did not know Jonelle.

STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: I’ve by no means met Jonelle Matthews. By no means met her, by no means talked to her.

However the indictment means that he might need, as a result of he “demonstrated intimate familiarity with the neighborhood the place Jonelle Matthews lived.” And it says he “watched faculty kids stroll residence” from Jonelle’s center faculty. Then, there’s that Pankey household journey to California proper after Jonelle disappeared.

Mayor John Gates: I learn that his spouse discovered that to be weird.

In line with the indictment, his ex-wife had loads to say about that.

Mayor John Gates: She stated that it was sudden, very sudden and unplanned.

Richard Schlesinger: Was that journey deliberate?

Anthony Viorst: Sure.

Richard Schlesinger: His ex-wife says it was unplanned. It got here up out of nowhere and so they simply went.

Anthony Viorst: I am conscious of that.

Richard Schlesinger: How do you resolve who to consider there?

Anthony Viorst: Nicely, I consider my shopper.

In line with the indictment, Pankey’s ex-wife additionally advised authorities that, on the best way again to Greeley, he “uncharacteristically listened to the radio trying to find information accounts of Jonelle’s disappearance.” And the indictment, whereas stingy on particulars, says she described Pankey digging of their yard once they obtained again residence. 

Richard Schlesinger: What’s that every one about, do you assume?

Anthony Viorst: I do not know. This is what I will say about that, all proper? And once more, I am providing you with method an excessive amount of data as a result of … the prosecution’s going to know my each transfer when this case goes to trial, however … I am pretty sure that the Greeley Police Division went again to that yard and regarded in it and so they did not discover something.

Police aren’t speaking in regards to the case. However Kevin Schneider, who knew Pankey in Idaho, says he additionally knew Pankey’s ex-wife fairly effectively, and believes her account of what occurred.

Kevin Schneider: I do. I do consider it 100%. And he or she could be the star witness for the prosecution, I might assume.  

Richard Schlesinger: And why is that?

Kevin Schneider: As a result of she lived with him eternally.

Anthony Viorst: I can not inform you whether or not she’s being untruthful or simply fallacious. … I do not need to impugn her character at this time limit. However … we actually assume she’s on the very least fallacious.

Richard Schlesinger: The prosecution might argue that he was getting out of city to keep away from being questioned. Sudden journey to California. Gettin’ out of dodge.

Anthony Viorst: The prosecution might argue that, Richard, I agree. … he was by no means a suspect, till he kind of interjected himself into this case.

And, for no matter purpose, the maybe overly verbose Pankey saved drawing consideration to himself even because the police had been closing in. 

KELLY WERTHMANN [KMVT report]: Pankey says he went to reporters in Idaho as a result of he needed to be clear.

At one level in 2019, a few month after police searched his residence, he despatched native media retailers an announcement that included a listing of individuals police may contemplate “individuals of curiosity.” And he put his personal title on it, whereas nonetheless insisting he is harmless.

Anthony Viorst: Mr. Pankey needed to be an individual of curiosity. I imply, Mr. Pankey might have laid low. No one would have ever talked to him. No one would have ever charged him.

Pankey’s listing of individuals of curiosity had one other attention-grabbing title on it.

Mayor John Gates: He was a bit fixated on implicating me as effectively.

Greeley’s mayor, John Gates, who says Pankey accused him of attempting to set him up and never only for Jonelle Matthews’ homicide.

Mayor John Gates: There was an extra point out that in 1993 I had satisfied the Solar Valley, Idaho, Police Division that Pankey was the Golden State Killer.

Richard Schlesinger: In California?

Mayor John Gates: Sure.

Richard Schlesinger: And had you?

Mayor John Gates: No.

Anthony Viorst says that is simply extra proof that his shopper is merely obsessive about true crime … though not in a wholesome method.

Anthony Viorst: Mr. Pankey loves the limelight. He simply does, for no matter purpose.

Richard Schlesinger: It is a hell of a solution to get the limelight, is not it?

Anthony Viorst: It is not a great way. … I would not suggest it to anybody. … It was all effectively and good, I suppose, till he truly obtained charged.

However there may be one piece of proof talked about within the indictment that would show particularly difficult for Viorst and his loquacious shopper. It is these footprints within the snow discovered exterior Jonelle’s home the evening she vanished.

Richard Schlesinger: Why is it so suspicious that he knew a few rake?

WHAT STEVE PANKEY KNEW

When Jonelle Matthews first disappeared, investigators had just one piece of bodily proof — these footprints within the snow exterior the Matthews residence that anyone, probably her abductor, had tried to hide through the use of a backyard rake.

Jim Matthews: He would rake the — the place he had been, after which he might get to the touchdown the place … he might stroll as much as the steps to the kitchen.

Solely the Matthews household, investigators and presumably the killer knew about these raked over footprints. And that’s what made a 2019 dialog that investigators had with Steven Pankey so attention-grabbing. 

Richard Schlesinger: He talked about rake.

Mayor John Gates: He did.

Richard Schlesinger: Is there any method he would have recognized about that?

Mayor John Gates: To my data, no.

However the indictment says Pankey knew of and mentioned an important piece of proof from the Matthews home withheld from the general public by legislation enforcement: particularly, a rake was used to obliterate shoe impressions within the snow.

Mayor John Gates: I suppose the ethical of the story is in case you’re concerned in felony exercise and also you discuss it, finally you are gonna say one thing that crosses that line into an space that you just should not know in case you weren’t concerned.

Anthony Viorst: That’s arguably the one piece of proof that arguably ties Mr. Pankey to the crime.

Richard Schlesinger: Arguably? They by no means launched the details about the rake.

Anthony Viorst: So, here is what I will say. … I can not inform you the whole lot that I do know … As a result of I’ve attorney-client privilege and I am nonetheless within the strategy of making ready the protection of my shopper, all proper? However suffice it to say that now we have purpose to consider that that data was divulged to him, um, to Mr. Pankey.

Richard Schlesinger: By whom?

Anthony Viorst: Once more, that is — at this level, I am not at liberty to say. … Nicely, I will inform you what — strike that.

Anthony Viorst: I’ll say. By legislation enforcement. It is our place that it was divulged by legislation enforcement. All proper?

Richard Schlesinger: By the police.

Anthony Viorst: Yeah, they advised him. All proper?

Richard Schlesinger: Have you learnt a reputation, a selected officer? 

Anthony Viorst: I do not.

Richard Schlesinger: However you understand it was the police?

Anthony Viorst: That is my understanding.

The police refused to say something about what Viorst expenses.

But when a lot of what Pankey has stated through the years has sophisticated his protection, a number of issues he is finished might effectively assist. Bear in mind, he says he willingly gave authorities his DNA. 

STEVE PANKEY [to KMVT]: I gave it up entrance, I supplied to take a polygraph check, I supplied to take a voice stress check. I instructed that they impanel a grand jury and have me testify underneath oath.

Police aren’t saying a lot about what Pankey supplied them, however District Legal professional Michael Rourke did say one thing in regards to the DNA that may encourage the protection.

DA Michael Rourke [to reporters]:  What I can say is there isn’t any definitive hyperlink DNA-wise between the defendant and Jonelle Matthews’ stays.

Pankey is in jail now, unable to put up a $5 million bond. On February 3, 2021, he entered his plea to all the fees.

ANTHONY VIORST [in court]: Your honor presently on behalf of Mr. Pankey, we plead not responsible.

And now each side are making ready for trial.

Richard Schlesinger: What’s your impression of the case in opposition to your shopper?

Anthony Viorst: You realize, they actually haven’t got one. … the one purpose, actually, that my shopper was charged is as a result of he voluntarily interjected himself into the investigation.

Richard Schlesinger: Do you assume he needed to get charged?

Anthony Viorst: Nicely … I feel to some extent, Mr. Pankey likes the limelight a lot that he is having fun with being charged. Yeah.

It could possibly be as much as the jurors to resolve if Pankey is a assassin or made all of it up. Mayor Gates hopes the prosecutors prevail.

Mayor John Gates: I feel they did a stellar job, and I commend our district legal professional for prosecuting the case. However, you understand, time will inform. It—it is over but.

In fact, it is going to by no means be over for Jonelle’s household. However a trial may give them solutions for which they’ve spent a long time ready — particulars about what occurred on the worst evening of their lives.

Jim Matthews: If he’s discovered responsible, hopefully we are going to know the state of affairs of what occurred that evening after which we are able to put as a lot closure on this case as is feasible on this earth.

Richard Schlesinger: What do you assume occurred to your sister?

Jennifer Mogensen: I do not know specifics. … however he took her, and 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’s trial is scheduled to start on July 12, 2021.

Produced by Judy Rybak. Claire St. Amant and Ryan N. Smith are the event producers. Jordan Kinsey is the sphere producer. Doreen Schechter is the producer-editor. Ken Blum is the editor. Patti Aronofsky is the senior producer. Nancy Kramer is the chief story editor. Judy Tygard is the chief producer.