July 2nd 2024.
After years of remaining a mystery, a woman has finally been convicted and sentenced to life in prison for a killing that occurred back in 1985. Mary Jo Bailey, now 81 years old, was charged with first degree murder in the death of Yvonne Menke. The trial took place this past May, and the jury ultimately found Bailey guilty of the single count against her.
The judge, in delivering Bailey's sentence, explained that he had limited discretion due to the severity of the murder charge. However, he did mention that she would be eligible for parole in 20 years and would receive credit for the 232 days she has already served in jail for this case. It's worth noting that this case had gone cold for nearly 40 years until it was reopened and reinvestigated in 2021.
As the details of the case were laid out during the trial, it became clear that Bailey and Menke had been dating the same man at the same time. On the morning of December 12, 1985, Menke informed her daughter that she was going outside to warm up her car before heading to work. However, not long after, her daughter heard what sounded like gun shots and saw a figure wearing a grey dress coat, scarf, and stocking cap walking and then jogging away from the scene.
Tragically, Menke was found dead at the bottom of the stairs leading from her apartment to the street. Evidence presented during the trial included boot prints in the snow that matched Bailey's, as well as a note found in Menke's purse that detailed information about Bailey's truck. In addition, Menke's family reported receiving strange phone calls from an unknown woman who seemed to be gathering information about Menke's daily routine.
During the trial, Polk County Assistant District Attorney Holly Wood Webster asked Menke's daughter, Julie Connors, why discussing these details made her emotional. Connors replied, "Because I believe the caller was the person who murdered my mom, and I unwittingly gave her all the information she needed to make it happen." It was a heartbreaking moment for all involved.
In the years following Menke's death, Bailey had moved from Wisconsin to Arizona, where she was eventually arrested last fall. And now, after decades of uncertainty and pain, justice has finally been served for Yvonne Menke and her family.
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