Parole denied for accomplice in Cape's first triple murder

~ John Browne Jr. ended up testifying against Gary Lee Roll, who was executed in 2000.

One of three men charged in Cape Girardeau's first triple murder 13 years ago was denied parole on Thursday.

John Browne Jr. has served 12 years of a life term in prison for the murders of Sherry Scheper and her sons Randy and Curtis in August 1992. He had pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder for his role in the drug robbery-turned-homicide at 31 N. Henderson Ave.

On Aug. 9, 1992, Browne waited outside while David Rhodes and Gary Lee Roll entered the Scheper residence to steal drugs from Randy. Standing by the truck, Browne heard screams coming from the house as Roll killed them one at a time.

'He heard the gunshots'

Sherry, 47, was bludgeoned and stabbed. Curtis, 22, was stabbed in the back. Randy, 17, was shot in the head.

"He heard the gunshots. He had the opportunity to leave at that point," said Tammy Scheper Farmer.

Farmer, 40, who now lives in Charleston, Va., did not attend the parole hearing because she did not want to relive the anguish over the murder of her mother and brothers.

She said the denial of parole was appropriate because, though Browne may not have committed the murders, he spoke up about Randy's stash of drugs and led the other two to the residence. Browne had been a longtime friend of Randy's, frequently visiting the home.

While some people were against parole, others supported it because Browne played a lesser role in the crime, said Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle. He did not attend the the parole hearing because prosecuting attorneys have no role in parole decisions.

Out of fear for his life, Browne recorded a conversation with Roll about the murders and gave the tape to a friend, who gave the tape to police. Browne also testified against Roll in court.

Regardless of people's feelings, "John Browne will stay in prison until the parole system until he has paid a sufficient price," Swingle said.

Browne's family may miss him, Farmer said, but they still have him.

"They get to see what he looks like when he grows up," she said. "They get to hear his voice and they get to visit him."

Her brothers were like her own children, Farmer said, because she helped raise them while her mother worked long hours. Sherry Scheper would be 60 years old today. Curtis would be 35, Randy 31.

Through the years, her father, Ron, and her brother, Ron Jr., have battled post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. Her father mourns for his wife, Farmer said, and her brother struggles to suppress memories of seeing his mother's dead body at the crime scene.

As for herself, Farmer decided within days after the murders that "whoever killed my family, they're not going to control my life any longer," she said. Going to executions and parole hearings are just other ways for them to have control over her.

David Rhodes is serving three consecutive life sentences on three counts of second-degree murder. Farmer said she will not attend Rhodes' parole hearing, which is scheduled for next week.

Gary Lee Roll was executed on Aug. 30, 2000. He was the first Southeast Missouri man to be executed since 1963, when Sammy Aire Tucker was executed for the murder of two Cape Girardeau police officers.

jmetelski@semissourian.com