Inmate Released: Murderer …. 

Marlin “Stub” Mollenkopf was brutally beaten and murdered after he interrupted a robbery at his parent’s home

Case Summary

On February 26, 1980 Marlin “Stub” Mollenkopf was brutally murdered after interrupting a robbery at his home. The robbers, William Bowers and brothers John and Jimmie Smith, beat Stub and dragged him to the garage where they shot him eight times in the head. Police found the trio one year later. The Smith brothers were allowed to plead guilty to murder in exchange for their testimony against Bowers and received life sentences. Bowers was convicted of aggravated murder and also received a life sentence. Bowers remains in prison. Jimmie Smith was released on parole on July 5, 2013. John Smith was also released from prison however we have no information regarding his release.

Jimmie Smith Case

Details

On February 26, 1980 Marlin Lynn “Stub” Mollenkopf was plowing his driveway in preparation for a party to celebrate his daughter’s 15th birthday. Stub’s wife and two daughters were out shopping. Stub’s parents, who lived across the street, were out of town and Stub was keeping an eye on their home. While plowing the driveway Stub noticed some strange activity at his parent’s house. Stub then walked over to his parent’s home to investigate.

When Stub arrived at his parent’s home he walked in on three thugs, William Bowers and brothers John and Jimmie Smith. The three men were robbing the house. When the three men saw Stub they attacked him. They beat Stub in the head and then dragged him to the garage. They propped Stub up against a workbench and shot him eight times in the head. The three men then fled the scene.

When Stub’s wife arrived home she was unable to find him. She and a neighbor went to look for Stub at his parent’s home. When they arrived all the electricity was out because the men had cut the electrical lines to the residence. When they opened the garage door and shined the car headlights into the garage they found Stub’s body propped up against the workbench.

Three Killers Get Life

It was later learned that the three men were from Indiana and had committed a series of similar robberies in Indiana prior to the murder. Before each robbery they would knock on the door of a home and if someone answered they would move onto another house. Police learned that the three men planned on robbing Stub’s house first. When his 10-year-old daughter answered the door they decided to move onto Stub’s parents home. When the three men fled back to Indiana they were arrested for the series of burglaries they committed there.

Fortunately Stub’s 10-year-old daughter was able to give a description of the man that came to the door and also a vehicle description to police. Based on the descriptions given by Stub’s daughter and the similarity of the crimes, detectives traveled to Indiana one year later to question the men. The Smith brothers both confessed to Stub’s murder and implicated Bowers. The Smith brothers were allowed to plead guilty to murder in exchange for their testimony against Bowers. A jury convicted Bowers of aggravated murder. Each of the three men received a 15 Year -Life sentence for the murder of Stub Mollenkopf.

No Parole

Based on the fact Jimmie Smith killed a defenseless, innocent man who was a loving husband and father, and the fact Smith spent over a year on the run rather then taking responsibility for his actions, we believe Jimmie L Smith should be required to serve his maximum sentence of LIFE in prison for his senseless and brutal crime.

UPDATE: Parole was granted to murderer Jimmie Smith and he was released on July 5, 2013. Based on the information we have received we understand and will respect The Ohio Parole Board’s decision. That being said we disagree with the decision to release Smith and continue to believe he is a threat to the community. Thank you to everyone who submitted a petition to block this parole.