Today, we reprint the third and final part of Shannon (Lingenfelter) Fazekas’ plea to the Illinois Parole Board to keep McHenry County’s most notorious killer behind bars.
“My grandfather, Mr. Bill Lingenfelter, is the STRONGEST man I have ever met. I have so much respect and admiration for my grandpa. He would have been my hero if anyone were to ask.
“That man lived to see his only daughter being put in the ground after a brutal murder. He had to bury his wife after a battle with cancer. Then, to see my father (his oldest son) kill himself, and then having to live through his only great grandchild not surviving. That was my own child that I lost at 6 months pregnant because of the stress I went through when my dad died.
“I know it’s not right to put the blame on anyone, but in the back of my mind, I blame Mark Smith for most of that.
“He should not be let out, nor should we even have to worry about him coming up for parole every few years. I understand that because of when he did the killings, it’s required that we do this until the day that Mark Smith dies. That is why I have taken it upon myself to represent the Lingenfelter family this time at the parole hearings.
“I don’t think my grandpa needs to be reminded any more about the cruel things that Mark Smith did to his daughter and the rest of the family.
I can guarantee that he thinks about it every single day of his life……still to this day 38 years later.
“On another note, I am not only asking, but I am begging you from ALL the friends and family members that he has hurt, please do not release Mark Smith back into society or to Arkansas, or even Germany for that matter.
“He has already tried to escape once. I believe that he will try again and also kill again if he given the chance to see the light of day.
“The man does not deserve any freedom.
“Sincerely,
“Shannon Fazekas (Lingenfelter)”
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.