MURDER
CASE #: 1976-12
John Opal Scott Lisenbe
Status:
Open
Date of Offense:
Date of Offense:
Jurisdiction:
Offense Location:
Killeen, Texas
Summary:
John Scott Lisenbe, a 65-year-old white female, was found dead on her living room couch with multiple gunshot wounds to the head in the early hours of April 4, 1976. Her husband, Frank James Lisenbe, was heavily intoxicated and repeatedly claimed she died of a heart attack. Their son, Milton “Jackie” Lisenbe, provided inconsistent statements about his whereabouts that night.
Vital Statistics
Circumstances of Offense:
Investigators discovered .22 caliber shell casings at the scene and later found a .22 caliber bullet in Jackie’s pocket. An antique .22 revolver was recovered from Jackie’s bedroom. He admitted the revolver belonged to his brother Jerry, who confirmed he had given it to Jackie weeks prior. The autopsy confirmed the cause of death as a gunshot wound to the head.
Additional Details:
Despite circumstantial evidence pointing to Jackie, including ammunition in his possession and access to the firearm, a Grand Jury returned a No-Bill on April 21, 1976, citing insufficient evidence to indict. The case was marked inactive.
Case Last Updated:
Timeline of Events
Grand Jury later reviews the case (presented on April 21, 1976) and issues a No-Bill, declining to indict Jackie due to insufficient evidence.
Frank goes to bed. Jackie says he continues talking to his mother.
Jerry Lisenbe provides a statement confirming the .22 revolver was his and had been given to Jackie weeks earlier.
Crime scene processed; .22 revolver, ammunition, bloody clothing, and bullet casings found.
Jackie is interviewed at the scene, provides conflicting timeline, claims no recent contact with the .22 revolver.
Justice of the Peace Judge Turland officially pronounces John Scott Lisenbe deceased.
Officers arrive; Frank meets them outside, claiming his wife is dead.
Police dispatched to 714 W. Avenue C for a possible deceased person.
Neighbors hear a car blow its horn three times, pause, and repeat three more times.
Jackie claims he leaves for Dolly’s or Elite Café to get coffee and food.
rank returns alone with wine. He, Jackie, and John Scott (the victim) are in the living room.
J.D. Hicks and Frank leave to get wine.
Frank Lisenbe claims to wake up; J.D. Hicks is reportedly outside the house.
Jackie returns home to 714 W. Avenue C.
Jackie (Milton) Lisenbe claims he eats dinner at his brother Jerry’s house.
The Lisenbe's reportedly eat supper.
Associated Persons
James L. (Spouse) - Living
Milton "Jackie" L. (Child) - Living
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