Attorney General's News Release

October 25, 1994

Missouri Supreme Court affirms two death penalties, including Chain of Rocks bridge murderer

Jefferson City, Mo. — The Missouri Supreme Court today affirmed the death sentences for Marlin Gray of St. Louis and Jahn Henri Parker of Columbia, Attorney General Jay Nixon said. The Attorney General’s Office represented the state on the appeals.

Gray was convicted of the April 1991 murders of sisters Julie and Robin Kerry on the old Chain of Rocks bridge over the Mississippi River. Julie, 20, and Robin, 19, were raped and thrown off the bridge into the river 50 feet below. A cousin of the girls also was thrown off the bridge but survived. Robin’s body was not recovered. Gray was convicted in St. Louis City Circuit Court.

Parker was convicted in Boone County Circuit Court of the August 1990 slaying of Elizabeth Loesch. Parker shot Loesch four times in her Columbia home. The murdered woman was scheduled to testify that day at a hearing to consider revoking Parker’s probation because he had assaulted Loesch in March of that year.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818