Naman Shrestha
A former hockey player named Thomas “Tom” Clayton discovered his wife, Kelley Clayton, dead in their house in the early hours of September 29, 2015. Although he called 911 and told the authorities about the situation in a distraught manner, the detectives soon centered the investigation on Thomas as evidence began to surface. The important statement from his daughter, Charlie, and the hitman’s confession that was later recanted played a role in bringing him to justice. All the intricate details of the case and the investigation that ensued are covered in ABC’s ’20/20: The Murder of Kelley Clayton and the 7-Year-Old Witness’ and ABC’s ’20/20: What The Little Girl Saw.’
Thomas “Tom” Clayton Plotted His Wife’s Murder With a Former Employee
Born on March 17, 1978, to Scott and Phyllis Clayton, Thomas “Tom” Clayton grew up in a loving and supportive household. Passionate about hockey, he joined the Elmira Jackals and made a name for himself in the early 2000s as a semi-professional hockey player. During one of his games, another Elmira native, Kelley Stage, watched him play for the Jackals, and their story began. Around 2006, the two tied the knot and started a new chapter in their lives. About a year later, Thomas’ hockey career ended due to a severe injury, after which he started a remediation company. Later, the former hockey player became in charge of running a ServPro franchise.
On the personal front, Kelley and Thomas embraced parenthood with the birth of their daughter, Charlie, and son, Cullen. Although the family appeared to be living a picture-perfect life, tension was brewing within. In September 2015, Thomas got in touch with one of his ex-employees, Michael Beard, whom he had recently fired. Per authorities, he reportedly offered Michael $10,000 for getting rid of his wife and burning down the house so that he could get the insurance money. Providing Michael with a spare key to his residence, he left to play poker with his friends on the night of September 28, 2015. During the poker game, he borrowed Linda “Lucky” Miller’s phone to talk with Michael, allegedly regarding the murderous plan.
Thomas Clayton Was Implicated in Kelley’s Murder by the Initial Confession of Michael Beard
After Kelley was killed, Thomas reached the crime scene in the early hours of September 29 and reported the murder to the police. He also dropped off his two children at a neighbor’s house. When the detectives talked to his then-7-year-old daughter, Charlie, who was the only eyewitness, she claimed that the eyes of the masked killer who attacked Kelley resembled those of Thomas. Upon questioning him, he told them he was playing poker at a friend’s house, an alibi corroborated by his friends and GPS. However, he failed his polygraph test. In addition, when the detectives learned that he had placed a call to Michael from Lucky’s phone prior to the murder and had offered him $10,000 to burn his house down, they arrested and charged him with the murder of his wife.
Within a few days, Thomas posted bail. When Michael was interviewed, he eventually confessed to carrying out the killing for his former employer, who had offered him money. He also led the police to the murder weapon, the spare keys to the Clayton residence, and the bloody clothes he had worn while committing the crime. Another twist hit the authorities when Michael recanted his confession and claimed that he found Kelley already dead when he got to the home on the fateful night. This prevented the prosecution from using his confession in Thomas’ trial.
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Thomas “Tom” Clayton is Currently Incarcerated at a New York Prison Facility
Since Thomas “Tom” Clayton pleaded not guilty to the second-degree murder of his wife, Kelley Clayton, his case went to trial. Around early 2017, his trial commenced, during which the prosecution presented a series of evidence against the defendant, including the incriminating cell phone records. Meanwhile, the defense argued that no physical evidence tied him to the crime. After an intense seven weeks, on February 23, 2017, the jury deliberated for six hours and found him guilty of first- and second-degree murder.
About two months later, on April 24, Thomas’ sentencing hearing took place. Taking the stand, he maintained his innocence firmly and stated, “I had absolutely nothing to do with the murder of Kelley. One hundred percent. Nothing. All of this propaganda that has been spewed over the past two years will come to an end.” Although he lashed out on Kelley’s family, he expressed gratitude towards her sister, Kim, who had been awarded the custody of his children. “I know they are hurting and miss their mom and dad very much,” he added. Ultimately, Thomas was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
After the sentencing, his family expressed their support for him. His father, Scott Clayton, stated, “I am extremely proud and honored to call Thomas my son. I will hold my head high and not be ashamed. He has carried himself well in spite of the huge miscarriage of justice that has come his way.” Meanwhile, his mother, Phyllis Clayton, added, “We’re nowhere near being done fighting this battle. This was not justice for Kelley, and it’s not justice for Charlie or Cullen.” In 2019, Thomas and his defense counsel appealed his convictions, but the Court of Appeals denied their appeal. As of today, the 47-year-old is serving his sentence at Green Haven Correctional Facility in Stormville, New York.
