Tracey Grist murder conspiracy trial

Developing StoryLast updated APR 21
SUMMARY

Tracey Grist's murder conspiracy trial began on April 14, 2026, with prosecutors charging her with criminal conspiracy and murder in connection with the death of Matthew Restelli, who was shot seven times by her son, Kevin Ellis, at her home. As of April 21, 2026, evidence of Grist's cell phone searches related to the Adelson family and the timing of Restelli's arrival was presented, while her son, Kevin Ellis, invoked his Fifth Amendment right and refused to testify. Ellis was previously sentenced to 15 years to life for Restelli's murder, and his sister, Kathryn Restelli, who pleaded guilty to murder and conspiracy, testified that the plan to kill her husband began as a "joke" but Grist insisted on proceeding.

Timeline

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April 2026 — 6 developments

  1. Evidence of cell phone searches by Tracey Grist, related to the Adelson family and the timing of Matthew Restelli's arrival, was presented during the trial of her son, Kevin Ellis.

    Evidence of cell phone searches by Tracey Grist, related to the Adelson family and the timing of Matthew Restelli's arrival, was presented during the trial of her son, Kevin Ellis. Ellis has been convicted of murdering Restelli and sentenced to 15 years to life.

  2. Recorded statements by Kevin Ellis were admitted as evidence in his mother Tracey Grist's murder trial on April 16, 2026, after he invoked his Fifth Amendment right.

    Recorded statements by Kevin Ellis were admitted as evidence in his mother Tracey Grist's murder trial on April 16, 2026, after he invoked his Fifth Amendment right. Ellis had previously been sentenced to 15 years to life for the murder of his brother-in-law, Matthew Restelli.

  3. Kevin Ellis invoked his Fifth Amendment right and refused to testify in his mother Tracey Grist's murder trial.

    Kevin Ellis invoked his Fifth Amendment right and refused to testify in his mother Tracey Grist's murder trial. His sister, Kathryn Restelli, testified that the plan to kill her husband began as a "joke" but Grist insisted on proceeding.

  4. The trial for Tracey Grist, mother of Kevin Ellis, began on April 14, 2026, with prosecutors stating…

    The trial for Tracey Grist, mother of Kevin Ellis, began on April 14, 2026, with prosecutors stating she is charged with criminal conspiracy and murder in connection with the death of Matthew Restelli. Her defense claims Ellis is solely responsible for shooting Restelli seven times upon his arrival at Grist's home.

  5. Tracy Grist, mother of Kevin Ellis and Kathryn Restelli, is now facing charges in connection with the murder of her son-in-law, Matthew Restelli.

    Tracy Grist, mother of Kevin Ellis and Kathryn Restelli, is now facing charges in connection with the murder of her son-in-law, Matthew Restelli. Her daughter, Kathryn Restelli, has pleaded guilty to murder and conspiracy for her role in luring the victim to the home where he was killed by her brother, Kevin Ellis, who has also been found guilty of murder.

  6. Kevin Ellis was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for the murder of his brother-in-law, Matthew Restelli, on March 31, 2026.

    Kevin Ellis was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for the murder of his brother-in-law, Matthew Restelli, on March 31, 2026. During his sentencing, a jailhouse call was played where Ellis admitted, "I still bear so much of the blame for all of this. I should have said no." His sister, Kathryn Restelli, who lured the victim to the home, was previously sentenced to 1-15 years.

March 2026 — 1 developments

  1. Kevin Ellis was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for the murder of his brother-in-law, Matthew Restelli, on March 31, 2026.

    Kevin Ellis was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for the murder of his brother-in-law, Matthew Restelli, on March 31, 2026. Ellis was previously convicted of murder, obstruction of justice, and domestic violence in the presence of children.

February 2026 — 1 developments

  1. Federal prosecutors are reportedly issuing subpoenas to Philadelphia agencies, including the police …

    Federal prosecutors are reportedly issuing subpoenas to Philadelphia agencies, including the police department and the Medical Examiner's Office, as part of an investigation into potential corruption, obstruction of justice, and evidence tampering concerning the death of Ellen Greenberg. This probe follows 15 years of the family seeking answers regarding her death.

January 2026 — 6 developments

  1. During closing arguments on January 30, 2026, prosecutors argued Kevin Ellis murdered his brother-in…

    During closing arguments on January 30, 2026, prosecutors argued Kevin Ellis murdered his brother-in-law, Matthew Restelli, in a planned ambush, stating Restelli was shot seven times, including in the back. Kathryn Restelli testified that she lured her husband to her mother's home as part of a plan to kill him, and described hearing her mother and brother discuss placing a knife in her husband's hand after the shooting.

  2. A Utah jury has convicted Kevin Ellis of murdering his brother-in-law, Matthew Restelli, rejecting his self-defense claim.

    A Utah jury has convicted Kevin Ellis of murdering his brother-in-law, Matthew Restelli, rejecting his self-defense claim. Ellis was found guilty of murder, obstruction of justice, and domestic violence in the presence of a child. However, he was acquitted of conspiracy to commit murder. Sentencing is scheduled for March.

  3. A jury found Kevin Ellis guilty of murdering his brother-in-law, Matthew Restelli, on July 12, 2024.

    A jury found Kevin Ellis guilty of murdering his brother-in-law, Matthew Restelli, on July 12, 2024. Ellis was also convicted of obstruction of justice, domestic violence in the presence of a child, and gun possession, but acquitted of conspiracy to commit murder. His sister, Kathryn Restelli, pleaded guilty to murder and conspiracy charges and was sentenced to 1-15 years.

  4. Detective Joseph Nordon, the lead detective in the case, testified, presenting evidence including text messages between Kevin Ellis and Tracy Grist.

    Detective Joseph Nordon, the lead detective in the case, testified, presenting evidence including text messages between Kevin Ellis and Tracy Grist.

  5. During Kevin Ellis' murder trial, his sister Kathryn Restelli faced cross-examination regarding her …

    During Kevin Ellis' murder trial, his sister Kathryn Restelli faced cross-examination regarding her testimony about a murder plot, admitting to discussing it with Kevin and their mother, Tracey Grist. Another sister, Rachel Jorgensen, testified that their mother was involved in the plot to murder Matthew Restelli. Kevin Ellis was convicted of murder, obstruction of justice, and domestic violence in the presence of a child.

  6. Kathryn Restelli testified against her brother, Kevin Ellis, admitting to her role in the plot to murder her husband, Matthew Restelli.

    Kathryn Restelli testified against her brother, Kevin Ellis, admitting to her role in the plot to murder her husband, Matthew Restelli. She stated that the family had discussed the plan and taken steps to prepare for Restelli's arrival, including placing an AirTag on his truck.

July 2024 — 2 developments

  1. Kevin Ellis was arrested following the shooting death of Matthew Restelli.

    Kevin Ellis was arrested following the shooting death of Matthew Restelli. He maintained that he acted in self-defense.

  2. Kevin Ellis shot and killed his brother-in-law, Matthew Restelli, at the home of Ellis's mother in American Fork, Utah.

    Kevin Ellis shot and killed his brother-in-law, Matthew Restelli, at the home of Ellis's mother in American Fork, Utah. Restelli had arrived with the intention of reconciling with his wife, Kathryn Restelli, and bringing their children back to California.