Grounded teen killed family so he could go to prom
Jeffrey Pelley, 34, was convicted Friday for killing his family 17 years ago so he could attend his high school prom events. Prosecutors said Pelley, a high school senior at the time of the murders, used a shotgun to kill his father, the Rev. Robert Pelley, his stepmother, Dawn, and his stepsisters, Janel, 8, and Jolene, 6, in April 1989 at their Illinois home.
On the day of the killings, Pelley was angry because his father had grounded him for stealing and would only allow him to go to the prom dance, causing him to miss a dinner, a bowling party and an outing to an amusement park outside Chicago. On the night of the prom, Pelley allegedly shot his family, disposed of the shotgun and shells, took a shower, put his clothes in the washer and left for the event.
Pelley was not charged in the deaths until August 2002, when authorities re-opened the case. He faces up to 260 years in prison when he is sentenced September 15.
Jeffrey Pelley, 34, was convicted Friday for killing his family 17 years ago so he could attend his high school prom events. Prosecutors said Pelley, a high school senior at the time of the murders, used a shotgun to kill his father, the Rev. Robert Pelley, his stepmother, Dawn, and his stepsisters, Janel, 8, and Jolene, 6, in April 1989 at their Illinois home.
On the day of the killings, Pelley was angry because his father had grounded him for stealing and would only allow him to go to the prom dance, causing him to miss a dinner, a bowling party and an outing to an amusement park outside Chicago. On the night of the prom, Pelley allegedly shot his family, disposed of the shotgun and shells, took a shower, put his clothes in the washer and left for the event.
Pelley was not charged in the deaths until August 2002, when authorities re-opened the case. He faces up to 260 years in prison when he is sentenced September 15.
