Cassie Ball

Matthew Plody pleaded not guilty to all charges. On March 18th, 2024, more than three years since Melissa's murder, his trial began in Ogle County, Illinois. The prosecution argued that Plody murdered Melissa and their unborn child because he didn't want to be a father.

Matthew Plody pleaded not guilty to all charges. On March 18th, 2024, more than three years since Melissa's murder, his trial began in Ogle County, Illinois. The prosecution argued that Plody murdered Melissa and their unborn child because he didn't want to be a father.

Matthew Plody pleaded not guilty to all charges. On March 18th, 2024, more than three years since Melissa's murder, his trial began in Ogle County, Illinois. The prosecution argued that Plody murdered Melissa and their unborn child because he didn't want to be a father.

The defense told the jury there's no evidence Plody harmed Melissa and that he had gone to see her that day just to talk.

The defense told the jury there's no evidence Plody harmed Melissa and that he had gone to see her that day just to talk.

The defense told the jury there's no evidence Plody harmed Melissa and that he had gone to see her that day just to talk.

Prosecutors called fire investigator Michael Poole to testify about his findings. He told the court that he found no evidence of an electrical or cooking fire.

Prosecutors called fire investigator Michael Poole to testify about his findings. He told the court that he found no evidence of an electrical or cooking fire.

Prosecutors called fire investigator Michael Poole to testify about his findings. He told the court that he found no evidence of an electrical or cooking fire.

During cross-examination, the defense suggested that Michael Poole was unsure of his findings, citing language in his report such as most likely and it is believed.

During cross-examination, the defense suggested that Michael Poole was unsure of his findings, citing language in his report such as most likely and it is believed.

During cross-examination, the defense suggested that Michael Poole was unsure of his findings, citing language in his report such as most likely and it is believed.

Poole says he was just using standard terms used during fire investigations. The state also called forensic pathologist Dr. Amanda Eumanns, who had performed one of the autopsies.

Poole says he was just using standard terms used during fire investigations. The state also called forensic pathologist Dr. Amanda Eumanns, who had performed one of the autopsies.

Poole says he was just using standard terms used during fire investigations. The state also called forensic pathologist Dr. Amanda Eumanns, who had performed one of the autopsies.

Dr. Youmans testified that Melissa's body showed evidence of a violent struggle. The jury heard about the hemorrhages around Melissa's neck, a specific type of broken blood vessels called petechial hemorrhages, which, according to Dr. Youmans, is a telltale sign of strangulation.

Dr. Youmans testified that Melissa's body showed evidence of a violent struggle. The jury heard about the hemorrhages around Melissa's neck, a specific type of broken blood vessels called petechial hemorrhages, which, according to Dr. Youmans, is a telltale sign of strangulation.

Dr. Youmans testified that Melissa's body showed evidence of a violent struggle. The jury heard about the hemorrhages around Melissa's neck, a specific type of broken blood vessels called petechial hemorrhages, which, according to Dr. Youmans, is a telltale sign of strangulation.

Matthew Plody's parents also attended the trial. They've been by his side throughout this?

Matthew Plody's parents also attended the trial. They've been by his side throughout this?