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Killer in '74 Mankato double-murder denied parole

Despite never admitting his guilt or showing remorse, the victims' families were worried the now 80-year-old convicted murderer would be set free

WEST ST PAUL, Minn — Dan Lackore still holds onto the last two photos ever taken of his sister Barb, before she and her husband Mike Jiminez were murdered trying hitchhike home to Mankato in April 1974.

"No one should have to go through what my sister went through," Lackore said, grimacing to hold back tears.

Lackore holds onto the pain of sitting through two trials, one for each victim, and seeing Edward Clark convicted twice of first degree murder.

"He claims he never did it. No remorse whatsoever. And that's what gets me. You'd think by now he would have said something," Lackore said.

Clark admits picking up the couple as he drove cross-country. But he's always claimed his innocence, even writing a book from prison, despite police linking the murder weapon to him and finding several of his belongings at the crime scene.

Mike was shot in the back of the head. Barb was stripped nude and strangled with her own hair.

Now, at 80 years old, in poor health and eligible for parole, Clark argued for his release.

"Tears you up. Brings up old memories again. everything's brought up, what he did, how he did it," Lackore said.

After the hearing, the decision whether to free Edward Clark was made by one man, the Commissioner of Corrections, Paul Schnell.

When asked about the possibility for Clark's parole, Lackore said, "I hope he stays in jail. If you take a life, you pay with your own, the way I look at it."

Dan and his family believe a life sentence should mean a life sentence. 

The commissioner denied Clark's parole.

The family of Mike Jiminez said Mike's brother suffered a heart attack in March after receiving the letter informing him Clark was up for parole again.

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