A Stark County man serving a life sentence for killing his ex-girlfriend in front of her young daughter 45 years ago will be released after a narrow decision by the Ohio Parole Board.
Lincoln Mabry Jr., 84, was convicted of murdering Rebecca “Becky” Kerr on Feb. 15, 1980, in a Perry Township gas station parking lot. The fatal shooting unfolded in front of Kerr’s then-8-year-old daughter.
The parole board met Tuesday afternoon at the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction, deliberating for nearly two hours before voting 5-3 in favor of Mabry’s release.
Family Expresses Outrage
Kerr’s family, who has long fought against Mabry’s parole, expressed disappointment with the decision.
“We knew there was a chance,” Joseph Kerr, Becky’s brother, said in a phone interview with Jordan Miller News. “I’ve read a lot about the parole board, and it seems they’re letting out a lot of people who shouldn’t be free.”
“Everybody was shocked. We didn’t think there was any way he would ever get out. It was in front of a little kid. We’re very disappointed in the outcome.”
A History of Violence
Mabry’s case has resurfaced multiple times before the parole board. He was previously denied release in 2012, 2017, and 2022. However, Ohio’s evolving sentencing laws and parole guidelines have allowed for reconsideration.
The 1980 murder stemmed from years of domestic violence. On the day of the crime, Mabry followed Kerr to a babysitter’s home and forced her into a car at gunpoint. The situation escalated at a gas station, where he shot Kerr multiple times as she tried to escape. Witnesses reported that after firing the initial shots, Mabry reloaded and shot her again. He fled to Columbus and surrendered to authorities two days later.
Kerr, a domestic violence survivor, had previously sought refuge at a local shelter. Days before her death, her employer noticed bruises on her face, which she attributed to a beating from Mabry with a roll of quarters.
Community Pushback
Over the years, the Kerr family has fought against his release, with Joseph Kerr collecting over 3,000 petition signatures. Domestic violence advocates, including Helen Sirius, co-founder of a local victim advocacy group, have also voiced strong opposition.
“This isn’t just about Becky,” Joseph Kerr said. “It’s about sending a message that brutal acts of domestic violence should not be forgiven. He took her life in the most horrific way.”
Becky’s story has remained central to local domestic violence awareness efforts. She was honored at a recent “Take Back the Night” event, where her family shared her story as a call to action.
