Jeffrey Scullin is a killer from Ohio who was convicted of the murder of Melinda Pleskovic
According to court documents Jeffrey Scullin was engaged to the daughter of Melinda Pleskovic. During the wedding planning money began to go missing and soon it became evident to Melinda that Jeffrey was responsible
Before she could confront Jeffrey Scullin he would go into the home and shoot and stab the woman to death. Authorities would later learned that Scullin had planned the murder for months knowing his thievery was going to come to the surface
Jeffrey Scullin would be arrested, pleaded no contest and was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 33 years
Jeffrey Scullin Now
Number A754106
DOB 04/10/1997
Gender Male
Race White
Admission Date 10/30/2018
Institution Madison Correctional Institution
Status INCARCERATED
Jeffrey Scullin Videos
Jeffrey Scullin Case
Man convicted of killing a Strongsville teacher inside her own home last year was sentenced to life in prison with a possibility of parole after serving 33 years.
Jeffrey Scullin Jr., 20, pleaded no contest to all of his charges last week on the day his murder trial was set to begin, court officials confirmed. He was sentenced to 30 years for aggravated murder with three years for a firearm specification.
When asked if he had anything to say, Scullin, who remained unmoved during the sentencing replied “nothing.”
Pleskovic’s two daughters and husband gave emotional impact statements ahead of the judge’s sentencing.
“The extent of his monstrous actions have forever crippled the lives of everyone he knows. Melinda will never be coming back, said her daughter Anna Pleskovic.
“Our lives will never be the same because of Jeffrey Scullin. My mother was the face of compassion, love and perseverance and because of him, she is gone,” said daughter Megan Pleskovic.
Bruce Pleskovic said this past year has been difficult with the loss of his wife.
“We had a loving, caring normal household. We took Jeffrey in as our own… The lost of Melinda will have a rippling effect on the kids and I forever. My daughters are heartbroken about the loss of their mother who can never be replaced,” Bruce Pleskovic said.
Scullin was indicted on charges of aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, tampering with evidence, making false alarms and endangering children in connection with the death of 49-year-old Melinda Pleskovic.
Pleskovic was a beloved middle school teacher for more than 20 years and was considered a loving wife, mother, grandmother, coach and a friend.
Scullin was one of the people who called 911 when Pleskovic’s body was found inside the Blazing Star Drive home on Oct. 23, 2017. He had just returned from dinner at Applebee’s with Pleskovic’s husband, Bruce. Bruce’s daughter — who was engaged to Scullin — worked at the Applebee’s and was working that night.
Pleskovic was supposed to meet the family for dinner but never arrived.
Court records show a large tactical knife was found on the back seat of a truck Scullin said he drove the day of the killing. Police said the knife had Melinda’s blood on it. DNA belonging to Scullin was on the handle.
Prosecutors say Pleskovic, found in the kitchen of her home, died from more than 30 stab wounds and three gunshot wounds.
Scullin was given credit for serving 363 days. If released on parole, he will be given post-release control with supervision up to three years
Jeffrey Scullin News
In court, Jeffery Scullin repeatedly denied having anything to do with the murder of his future mother-in-law, even at his Monday sentencing
Videos of his Strongsville police interrogations tell another story.
Scullin’s on-camera confessions were recorded during Strongsville Police interrogations a week and a half after 49-year-old Melinda Pleskovic was shot and stabbed in her kitchen.
His attorneys argued the confession and interrogations recorded by police were coerced. He wanted the videos deemed inadmissible. Judge Pamela Barker reviewed the hours of interrogation video and allowed them to be included in the trial. The videos were finally released to News 5 by the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s office Wednesday.
“Everything after the first shot is almost like a dream I guess,” Scullin eventually said to investigator Ron Stolz on November 1, 2017.
“I don’t remember stabbing her. I don’t remember doing that,” Scullin said. “Jeff, you stabbed her a lot,” Stolz said. “I don’t remember doing that,” Scullin said, with his head in his hands.
confessing to teachers murder released
In court, Jeffery Scullin repeatedly denied having anything to do with the murder of his future mother-in-law, even at his Monday sentencing.
By: Tara Molina
Posted at 6:04 PM, Oct 31, 2018
and last updated 6:36 PM, Oct 31, 2018
In court, Jeffery Scullin repeatedly denied having anything to do with the murder of his future mother-in-law, even at his Monday sentencing.
RELATED: Man sentenced to life in prison for killing beloved Strongsville teacherVideos of his Strongsville police interrogations tell another story.
Jeffrey Scullin’s on-camera confessions were recorded during Strongsville Police interrogations a week and a half after 49-year-old Melinda Pleskovic was shot and stabbed in her kitchen.
Recent Stories from news5cleveland.com
His attorneys argued the confession and interrogations recorded by police were coerced. He wanted the videos deemed inadmissible. Judge Pamela Barker reviewed the hours of interrogation video and allowed them to be included in the trial. The videos were finally released to News 5 by the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s office Wednesday.
“Everything after the first shot is almost like a dream I guess,” Scullin eventually said to investigator Ron Stolz on November 1, 2017.
“I don’t remember stabbing her. I don’t remember doing that,” Scullin said. “Jeff, you stabbed her a lot,” Stolz said. “I don’t remember doing that,” Scullin said, with his head in his hands.
“I’m sick to my stomach,” Scullin said in one video. “You’re sick to your stomach, why is that?” Stolz said. “Because I’ve never hurt anybody before. I should have just drove away,” Scullin says.
A year later, in court, Scullin’s tune changed. No remorse. No apology to the Pleskovic family. At his sentencing, or beforehand.
Convicted on charges of aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, tampering with evidence, making false alarms and endangering children.
After pleading no contest, Jeffrey Scullin and his attorney maintained his innocence.
Joseph Patituce, Scullin’s attorney told News 5 he has plans to appeal, after Scullin’s plea hearing and before his sentencing.
“So he maintains he’s innocent, but he’s willing to serve time for the sake of the family?” News 5 asked Patituce
“Well yes, there’s a lot of very sensitive material that could be coming out at trial. A lot of material that could be embarrassing to multiple people, not just my client. He does have a young child with the victim’s family and he’s not interested in inflicting pain when he believes he has solid legal issues that clear him,” he said.
Those legal issues, still unclear.
But Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley brought up Patituce plans to appeal after Scullin’s sentencing.
“The fact that he’s maintained his innocence, not only disturbing to the court, but to the family. He’s shown no remorse,” News 5 asked O’Malley.
“As we know, the evidence that was obtained through the diligent work of the Strongsville police department was overwhelming. Weapons were found in his vehicle. He can continue and appeal this case, we have a very solid conviction, we are very comfortable going forward that conviction will be upheld,” he said.
Jeffrey Scullin repeatedly denied he did anything in the videos. Changing stories, losing track of his stories, and eventually breaking down to Stolz.
“I remember shooting her,” Jeffrey Scullin said.
“Once Melinda was dead, I’m sure your mind was racing, do you remember?” Stolz asks. “I went downstairs, that’s it. I went downstairs, came up and walked out,” Scullin said.
Jeffrey Scullin told police where he put the gun.
“I put it in the bag. I don’t know if you guys found it or not. I hope you did,” Scullin said.
“It shows his mindset that he could not, at any point, look back at that family he is destroyed and at least apologize,” O’Malley said after the sentence.
News 5 requested a statement from O’Malley with the videos released Wednesday:
"The evidence is clear: He is incapable of showing remorse and won’t take responsibility for this brutal act he committed against his soon to be mother-in-law. We are confident that the Judge’s ruling will be upheld and commend Law Enforcement for following the proper procedures in investigating and solving this heinous crime. We will continue to fight for the Pleskovic family every step of the way." - Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O'Malley
