This is a continuation of Nichole Owens’ statement in opposition to paroling McHenry County serial killer Mark Smith. (You can find the first part here. ) Owens serves as Chief of the Criminal Division.
On the evening of the murder, Jean Ann’s parents became worried when she didn’t return home from studying for finals at a friend’s house.
Like Jean, the search for Jean Ann began that night.
Inmate Smith feigned concern for Jean Ann and assisted law enforcement with their search for her.
Inmate Smith found Jean Ann’s body floating near the shore of a small lake. He knew where to find her because that is where he discarded her corpse.
Jean Ann had been viciously beaten and strangled with her own bra.
Her nose and jaw were broken. Her liver was lacerated. Her vagina was violently torn with the neck of a beer bottle.
Inmate Smith readily admitted these disturbing facts without compassion for Jean Ann or remorse for his actions.
Actions which have affected the lives of so many…today Jean Ann’s niece, a young lady who never knew her, appears today, speaking on her behalf.
These horrific facts are difficult to hear; however, it is necessary that none of us forget how dangerous this confessed serial killer truly is and it is important that we realize that this cold-blooded killer is completely and utterly incapable of rehabilitation.
He is devoid of remorse or compassion, callously stating to a former State’s Attorney, that “everyone has to die sometime.”
It is particularly difficult for the family members of these two lovely women, every three years, to revisit the horror and grief that Inmate Smith reaped upon them.
He has outlived many of those who cared for and loved his innocent victims.
But as difficult as it is for them, they are here, once again, protesting his release and heart-felt letters by family members who have passed remain, attached to our petition, for your consideration.
As Jean Bianchi’s deceased mother pointed out in one of her letters,
“I speak from experience when I say a family of the victim is NEVER the same after such a death of a loved one. Emotional, mental suffering still continues for each one of us.
“The sentence of grief for the families of the murder victim is a life sentence.
“It cannot be commuted and parole is not possible.”
Jean Bianchi and Jean Ann Lingenfelter were but two of at least twelve victims Inmate Smith admitted to raping and murdering.
His victims were not human beings to him.
Abducting them, raping them, murdering them, that was sport to Inmate Smith.
We have attached a copy of the book “Legally Sane” to our petition for your consideration. On page 63, Smith states,
“It was sort of like the so-called ecstasy of the hunt must be for animals, only I’m just a little bit above the hunt in snatching girls.”
Dr. Joseph Wepman, a psychologist who examined Inmate Smith years ago stated,
“Mark Alan Smith is always adapting, changing his story or his coloration to suit the circumstances. He will, no doubt, come up for parole within our lifetime, and he will look and sound like a repentant and rehabilitated sinner.
“That would be like giving a driver’s license to somebody who is blind and I don’t want to be on the road when he’s driving the car.
“Don’t let him out. He should remain in Stateville for the rest of his life.”
The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office vehemently opposes the release of Mark Smith from the Illinois Department of Corrections.
In support of our petition, an addendum is attached containing 18 pages of protests to the inmate’s release from the families of his victim; 50 pages of letters and petitions from citizens opposing parole; 12 pages of crime scene photos of the Bianchi and Lingenfelter murders; 25 pages of autopsy reports of Jean Bianchi and Jean Ann Lingenfelter; and a copy of the book “Legally Sane.”
The inmate has been sentenced consecutively to a total of 500 years in the Department of Corrections for his horrific crimes against three innocent, unsuspecting, and defenseless women.
The inmate agreed to this sentence.
He has yet to serve even 10% of it.
Allowing the release of this inmate would deprecate the seriousness of his offenses, endanger the community, and serve as an outrageous injustice to the families of the victims who continue to suffer, thirty-eight years after the deaths of their loved ones.
= = = = =
The photograph is of Nichole Owens, the Chief of the Criminal Division of the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office. You see the cover of the book “Legally Sane” next. Finally, what Mark Smith looks like now.
For those wishing to communicate to the Illinois Prisoner Review Board should send letters about inmate Mark Smith, the address is 319 E. Madison, Suite A, Springfield, IL 62701. Be sure to include Smith’s inmate number: C10587.