Kenneth Ireland Jr was 20 in 1986 when he was convicted and sentenced for the alleged rape and murder of Barbara Pelkey. Ireland’s DNA has been tested against evidence found at the crime scene. It was established Ireland could not have been the rapist/ murderer.

Ireland has been in prison for 21 years after his sentencing in 1986. Ireland could have remained in jail for the rest of the original 50 years sentence if not for DNA testing. Advanced DNA testing in 2009 has exonerated Ireland.

Barbara Pelkey’s murder case is being re-opened for investigation. Pelkey was working at the former R.S. Moulding and Manufacturing Co. in Wallingford, when she was killed. Pelkey worked the night shift alone. Pelkey was discovered dead and her clothes were removed when she was found.

Kenneth Ireland Jr photo: