A former longshot Idaho gubernatorial candidate has been convicted of kidnapping and killing a 12-year-old Colorado girl who went missing nearly 40 years ago.
, 71, guilty of felony murder, second-degree kidnapping and false reporting in the disappearance and death of Jonelle Matthews in 1984, the office of district attorney Michael Rourke said. A judge then sentenced him to life prison with the possibility of parole,It was Pankey’s second trial in the case. Last year, jurors were unable to reach verdicts on the kidnapping and murder charges and prosecutors decided to put him on trial again.
Pankey’s lawyers said his behavior may have seemed unusual but they argued police did not secure hard evidence against him and failed to clear an alternate suspect who died in 2007,Prosecutors said Pankey kept up to date on the case throughout the years even as he moved his family to several states before settling in Idaho where he ran unsuccessfully as a Constitution Party candidate for Idaho governor in 2014 and in the Republican gubernatorial primary in 2018, the year that authorities said...
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jonelle Matthews Murder: Ex-Politician Steve Pankey's Guilty Verdict, Innocence ClaimSteve Pankey is confident he's going to heaven. What do you think?
Read more »
2 jurors excused for sickness in trial of Jacksonville man accused of killing ex-girlfriendRobert is in court today, covering Chad Absher's trial. He is accused of killing his ex-girlfriend on Halloween 2017:
Read more »
Murder victim’s longtime friend tells jurors of her grisly discoveryMary Williams discovered her friend of about 35 years lying in a pool of blood.
Read more »
Supreme Court told jurors misled in Tucson cop killer's trialThe outcome of the case is important not only for John Montenegro Cruz, but also for other inmates on death row in Arizona who are in the same situation.
Read more »
Brooklyn Nets 'have agreed to part ways' with head coach Steve NashThe Brooklyn Nets and head coach Steve Nash 'have agreed to part ways,' the team announced on Tuesday.
Read more »