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IU McKinney's Wrongful Conviction Clinic is representing a man accused of killing four members of his family 30 years ago. A program about the case was broadcast on the CBS program, 48 Hours, on January 25.

According to the State's theory of guilt, Jeff Pelley was grounded over stealing some CDs and cash from a nearby home a few weeks before the prom in 1989 in Lakeville, Indiana. The State claimed Pelley's father grounded him, and would only permit his son to attend the dance if he drove him. When the family didn't show up for services at the church where Pelley's father preached, police arrived and found four family members dead. Prosecutors declined to file charges at the time, but a new prosecutor brought a case against Pelley in 2002. Pelley by then was married, had a son, and was working as a computer consultant in Florida. A jury convicted him in 2006, and he was sentenced to 160 years in prison. A preview of the program is available online.

Pending post-conviction allegations include claims of due process and speedy trial violations, as well as ineffective assistance of counsel and Brady claims.

"The whole of the forensic evidence in this case suggests innocence, but the jury never heard the actual facts," Professor Watson said. The program is expected to focus on Jeff Pelley's stepsister's journey through the trauma of the murders. "While I believe in the client's actual innocence and have alleged on his behalf exculpatory facts, I in no way wish to discount the reality of the pain suffered by her and others."

It's the second time 48 Hours has based a program around a case in which the clinic was involved. Professor Watson represented Darryl Pinkins and Roosevelt Glenn for more than 15 years after a referral from the Innocence Project in 1999.

Professor Watson is the founding director of the Wrongful Conviction Clinic at IU McKinney. She is a clinical professor of law and teaches in Law and Forensic Science, and Lawyering Practice, along with the Wrongful Conviction Clinic.