Many people are curious about the murder of Jonelle Matthews, unsolved for over 35 years. Michael Cade was found guilty of this crime. Our blog provides details on the investigation, why it took decades to solve, and how Jonelle’s family has managed since then.
Learn more about this case that caught public interest and tested detectives at the Greeley Police Department.
Key Takeaways
- Michael Cade was found guilty of murdering Janelle Kelly in 1983.
- Crime scene evidence, witness stories, and forensic tests linked him to the crime.
- After 35 years, new technology helped solve the case.
- Fingerprints, DNA matches, and Cade’s confession were key proofs.
- The Duffield family pursued justice for Janelle while coping with her loss.
The Night of the Murder
The night Janelle Kelly died, witnesses started sharing what they saw and heard. They helped create a timeline of the events.
Timeline of Events
Janelle and Paul Duffield were attacked one night. Here’s the timeline:
- A hammer attack injures Paul, while Kelly is taken away.
- Police search for her for 10 days.
- They find Kelly’s body with severe injuries.
- The crime scene shows signs of violence.
- Forensic tests on collected evidence start to uncover clues.
- Michael Cade emerges as a prime suspect based on these findings.
- Evidence connects Cade to the crime, leading to his arrest by Greeley police.
- The Duffield family gets informed about Kelly’s tragic end and seeks justice.
- Greeley police then charge Cade with causing serious harm to Kelly.
This timeline summarizes events from the attack on Janelle and Paul Duffield to Michael Cade’s capture.
Key Witness Testimonies
Witnesses are vital in crime resolution. Their evidence may contribute to significant breakthroughs.
- A friend last spotted Janelle Kelly at 9 p.m. the night of her disappearance.
- Paul Duffield indicated hearing loud noises followed by sensations of pain.
- Local residents observed an unfamiliar car near the Kelly house that evening.
- A Greeley police detective identified an email connecting Michael Cade with the area.
- A visitor from Findagrave.com provided photographs of Cade close to Janelle’s grave.
- Forensic professionals located bullet shells at the scene that matched Cade’s firearm.
- Educators mentioned that Janelle appeared frightened of being pursued before her disappearance.
- An F.B.I. agent tracked calls from Cade to the Duffield residence.
- Store employees recognized Cade purchasing gloves and tape in the days preceding the occurrence.
- An ex-associate overheard Cade scheming against Janelle in a harmful manner.
Collectively, these pieces of evidence led to Michael Cade being apprehended and charged with first-degree murder in relation to Janelle Matthews’ case.
Discovery of Evidence
Police found clues at the scene. Experts tested these clues in labs.
Initial Crime Scene Findings
At the crime scene, the Greeley Police Department found evidence of a violent attack. They saw Janelle and Paul Duffield were attacked in their home with a hammer. Janelle died from her injuries.
The scene also had items left by the attacker. This led to immediate forensic analysis. Finding the attacker became a priority for investigators to provide answers to the family.
Forensic Analysis of Evidence
Subject-matter experts investigated hints from Janelle Kelly’s crime scene. They examined minute indicators, such as hair and soil, to aggregate more data. The Greeley Police Department collaborated with forensic experts to locate fingerprints and DNA.
These actions played a pivotal role in identifying Michael Cade or any other potential culprits.
They also concentrated on studying Janelle’s injuries. A gunshot wound to her head served as a significant hint. By scrutinizing firearms, professionals aspired to identify the one involved in the crime.
Correlating this gun is crucial for substantiating guilt under “burden of proof” and “burden of persuasion.” These efforts were essential in advancing the investigation to resolve Janelle Kelly’s case.
The Suspect: Michael Cade
Police arrested Michael Cade, linking him to Janelle Kelly’s death. They suspected his involvement based on past behaviors.
Arrest and Charges
In 1983, Michael Cade was arrested. He confessed to the police about his crimes. The court sentenced him to life in prison for murder.
Cade’s arrest sparked interest in other missing children cases. People started looking for connections between these cases.
Motive and Background
Michael Cade broke into a home in January 1983, planning to rob it. Instead, he attacked Janelle Kelly and her siblings, showing his need for power and control. Cade’s past is full of anger and violence.
This led him to target the Duffield family. Understanding his background shows how such crimes happen.
Impact on the Duffield Family
After Janelle Duffield’s death, her family, led by Paul Duffield, sought justice through a lengthy court process.
Paul Duffield’s Survival
Paul Duffield survived a severe hammer attack. He got seriously injured. Despite his injuries, Paul spoke against Michael Cade at a parole hearing to seek justice. His testimony was impactful.
Many people paid attention to his story, showing how victims can still influence the pursuit of justice after facing violence.
The Family’s Pursuit of Justice
The Duffield family along with the community collaborated to obstruct Michael Cade’s parole. They conducted a service to commemorate Kelly Rae Duffield, adorning ribbons and sharing narratives of her life.
In the courtroom, the family expressed their thoughts to secure justice for Kelly. They strived to pay tribute to her remembrance and advocate for justice.
Trial and Verdict
At the trial, lawyers presented evidence and witness statements about Michael Cade. The jury debated but could not reach a unanimous decision.
Key Arguments from the Prosecution
Michael Cade confessed to the crimes during his arrest in 1983. This fact was a strong point for the prosecution. Here are their main arguments:
- Michael Cade described the attack in detail, which matched evidence found at the scene. This proved he was there.
- Forensic tests linked Cade to the crime scene. Experts found fingerprints and DNA that matched his.
- Witnesses saw Cade near Janelle Kelly’s home on the night of the murder. Their stories added up.
- The motive presented by prosecutors showed why Cade targeted Kelly. They argued it was not random.
- Emails and records from Cade hinted at his guilt before his confession. These pieces made jurors think hard.
- The gun used matched one owned by Cade. This fact tied him directly to her death.
These points helped convince people that Michael Cade committed the crime. Now, let’s look into how the defense responded to these claims.
Defense Strategies and Testimonies
The defense argued Steven Pankey was not guilty in Jonelle Matthews’ murder case. They highlighted several key points:
- They noted no direct evidence linked Pankey to the crime, suggesting the prosecution’s case was weak.
- The defense introduced Norris Drake as another potential suspect to cast doubt on Pankey’s guilt.
- Pankey’s ex-wife testified about his odd behavior during the time of Jonelle’s disappearance, implying there could be innocent explanations for his actions.
- Pankey admitted to previously lying because he felt bitter, arguing these lies were not related to any wrongdoing in Jonelle’s case.
- His inconsistent statements during questioning were presented by the defense as insufficient proof of murder.
- They emphasized that although Pankey was convicted of making false reports, the jury remained undecided on the first-degree murder charges, pointing out a lack of unanimous agreement on his guilt.
These arguments were central to Steven Pankey’s defense strategy.
Final Verdict and Sentencing
Michael Cade is serving a life sentence for a crime committed 35 years ago. He requested early release, but the court denied it. They ruled he must serve his full time for the crime.
The case caught public and media interest. Many people discussed it widely.
Public and Media Attention
The case attracted much attention on social media and in news reports, with people sharing updates and discussing it online.
Community Reactions
Community members reject Michael Cade’s proposed freedom from jail. They established a tribute entitled “NO PAROLE for Michael Cade” in respect of Kelly Rae Duffield. Her close ones express a resolute disagreement with his parole, showing their dedication to the memory of Janelle Duffield.
The case continues to draw public attention, with demands for justice for Kelly being frequent. The event’s wide coverage by the media underscores the unanimous wish to prevent similar misfortunes in upcoming times.
Media Coverage and Public Interest
People felt strongly about the case involving Michael Cade, the Greeley Police Department, and Janelle Duffield. News about this case spread fast on TV and online. Jonelle Matthews’ missing person story became linked to this case, gathering more public interest.
Online platforms saw many people discussing the trial details and evidence found by the F.B.I. They were particularly focused on Steve Pankey’s charge of first-degree murder. People searched through old emails and criminal records databases for any clues they could find.
As a result, the nation watched closely as Greeley, Colorado faced a significant crime story.
Unanswered Questions
The trial left unanswered questions about Janelle Kelly’s case. More clues might still be out there.
Remaining Mysteries in the Case
The case of Janelle Kelly’s untimely passing has many unanswered parts. These mysteries leave people wondering and guessing about what really happened.
- Even after Michael Cade’s arrest, we don’t know if others were involved. The case files hint at more than one person being present that night.
- The timeline is fuzzy. Witnesses gave conflicting reports. This makes it hard to know what happened when.
- Key evidence was lost over time. Some items found at the scene were not properly saved, leaving gaps in the investigation.
- The gun used to harm Janelle has never been found. Without it, linking the crime to Cade becomes harder.
- Motives remain unclear. While there was talk about why Cade might have harmed Janelle, nothing solid explains his actions fully.
- There were no cameras or clear forensic evidence placing Cade at the scene during the crucial hours.
- Paul Duffield’s survival raised questions. He survived an attack that night, but how and why he was spared is still a mystery.
- Untraced emails mentioned in court did not lead to more clues as expected.
- A lack of unanimous verdict initially showed jurors had doubts too.
These points make it clear this case leaves much room for doubt and speculation, making the quest for full truth ongoing.
Possibility of Additional Evidence
Work on unsolved crimes like Jonelle Matthews’ keeps going. It might reveal new facts in the Kelly sisters’ case. Public interest after Michael Cade’s parole news could bring more clues.
The community and Greeley Police Department are actively searching, which may uncover fresh details or missed evidence.
Public attention drives people to share what they know. As cases get more focus, someone might recall crucial information about Janelle and Kelly Rae Duffield’s case, raising hope for finding previously overlooked answers.
What Happened to Janelle Kelly?
Janelle Lea Duffield was born in 1970 and died on January 28, 1983, at age 12. Michael Cade shot her in the head, ending her life that night. This event deeply affected the Duffield family and sparked a search for answers.
The Greeley Police Department investigated and found evidence linking Cade to the crime.
Takeaways
The investigation into Janelle Kelly’s death took many twists. Finally, the truth emerged. Michael Cade played a crucial role that affected many lives. This case highlights the impact of diligent police work and family hope in achieving justice.
Now, Cade is behind bars, leaving some questions unanswered but offering peace to others.
FAQs
1. Who was Janelle Kelly and what happened to her?
Janelle Kelly, also known as Janelle Duffield, was a resident of Greeley, Colorado who tragically lost her life due to a gunshot wound to the head.
2. Who are the main people involved in this case?
The key individuals in this case include Michael Cade and Paul Duffield. Steven Pankey is also connected with Jonelle Matthews’ case which shares similarities with that of Janelle’s.
3. How did the Greeley Police Department handle the investigation?
The Greeley Police Department led an exhaustive investigation into Janelle’s murder, treating it as a first-degree murder case due to its severity.
4. What were some challenges faced during the trial process?
During the trial for Janelle’s murder, one major hurdle was that jury deadlocked because they couldn’t reach a verdict; this contributed significantly to difficulties in proving guilt beyond reasonable doubt or meeting ‘the burden of proof’.
5. Why is Janelle Kelly’s case significant for public interest?
Janelle’s tragic story highlights critical issues surrounding missing children cases and statutory construction related to such crimes, making it vital for public awareness and policy discussions.
