Thursday, June 20, 2002
David Lockney began raping his daughter when she was 6.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The Trumbull County prosecutor is asking the Ohio Parole Board to keep a rapist he calls "subhuman" in prison for the rest of his life.
Dennis Watkins said Wednesday he is seeking a full hearing before the board to oppose the release of David Lockney, 46, who admitted repeatedly raping his daughter when she was 6 and 7 years old.
Lockney, who is serving four life sentences at Grafton Correctional Facility, has been granted a July 8 release by the board.
JoEllen Cult, a parole board spokeswoman, said the board has Watkins' request and will meet Monday or Tuesday to determine if a full board review will be granted.
Miriam Fife of the prosecutor's victim/witness division said the board usually grants a full hearing.
Pleaded guilty
Lockney pleaded guilty July 23, 1987, in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court to four counts of rape and one count of attempted rape.
At the time, Watkins referred to it as the worst case of child molestation ever in the county.
The Lordstown man, who originally pleaded innocent by reason of insanity, was deemed competent to stand trial. He pleaded guilty only after he learned his daughter was going to testify against him.
Lockney's wife, Lillian, pleaded guilty to child endangering for failing to protect her daughter. She was placed on probation.
Watkins said the rapes took place from August 1986 to February 1987.
The brutal attacks caused serious physical harm that required her hospitalization and she continues to suffer the effects as a young woman, Watkins said.
Watkins said Lockney tried to contend marijuana use as his defense, but the prosecutor questioned if Lockney was on the drug the months he was raping his daughter.
In characterizing Lockney as "subhuman," Watkins said he cannot be trusted.
"The victim wants to make sure the parole board understands the nature of this crime," he said.
"We oppose any release of this man during his lifetime. Would you want this man living next to your grandchildren?"
The victim and Fife have joined Watkins in the request.
Lockney has a July 5 hearing scheduled before Judge W. Wyatt McKay in common pleas court to determine if he should be declared a sexual predator.
Law is no help
Ironically, Watkins said, a new state law provides for life in prison without parole in cases of rape of a child under age 10 that caused serious physical harm. It cannot be applied retroactively so it cannot be used against Lockney.
Fife said she will begin a petition drive to keep Lockney behind bars.
Those who want to help can call her at (330) 675-2552.
yovich@vindy.com