Everyone treasures their first prom evenings, whether they are teenagers or grownups. One of the most treasured memories for youngsters is dancing with their favourite senior while looking good and smelling wonderful. They would go over and beyond to make their prom a memorable occasion. Do you know, though, that a teenager travelled a long distance to attend his senior dance?
Detectives in Lakeville, Indiana, found that 17-year-old Jeff Pelly had slain his family in order to have the perfect prom night in 1989. The murders were later dubbed the Prom Night Murders.
Here is all there is to know about this situation.
Jeff Pelley Shot His Four Family Members
Jeff’s father, the pastor of Lakeville’s Olive Branch Church, missed the morning service on the following Sunday following the prom night in 1989. After wondering why he wasn’t there, a few parishioners who were alarmed by the church parsonage’s darkened windows entered with their master keys. The Reverend Robert Pelley was lying down inside with two bullet wounds when they opened the door.
His wife Donna and their two young children Janel and Jolene’s bodies were discovered intertwined. According to the police, all four of the victims were shot at close range with a shotgun. They also learned that the gun from the family’s gun rack had been removed.
More Children of the Family Were Missing
Only the Pelleys’ two daughters were there at the crime scene. Jacque, Jessica, and Jeff were three further kids who were also missing. Jacque was discovered at a church camp when Jessica came home after an overnight at a friend’s house. Additionally, it was discovered that Jeff, the oldest son, went to the LaVille High School prom the evening before his parents and brothers were killed.
At a theme park close to Chicago, police noticed Jeff riding the rides and grew suspicious.
The Investigators Found the Truth
After a brief period of investigation and analysis, the detectives reportedly discovered that Robert had reprimanded and limited his son Jeff’s activities on prom night after Jeff was discovered taking some cash and CDs from a nearby house. Additionally, Robert insisted that he drive Jeff to the prom if he wanted to go.
The son killed his father, stepmother, and two stepsisters as a result of being made to feel inferior. So, 20 minutes before leaving for the prom, Jeff shot them.
It Took the Authorities 13 years to Arrest Jeff
From the beginning, the police believed Jeff was responsible for all of the deaths in the Pelley family. However, they didn’t detain him for the same offence for another 13 years. In 2002, he was finally put on trial for the crime.
He was found guilty in 2006 and given a 160-year prison term by the judge. The conviction was soon after overturned by the Indiana Court of Appeals in 2008. But a year later, the Supreme Court again upheld it.
Unexpectedly, Pelley insists on his innocence and denies murdering his family.
Where is Jeff Pelley Now?
Jeff Pelley is now 50 years old. For the first time since the 2009 hearing, he has the opportunity to submit new evidence in support of himself. His legal team will attempt to show that the evidence was misrepresented by the prosecution and that his prior attorneys handled the matter improperly.
