Celina man gets 7-25 years in '81 murder

ST. MARYS - A 52-year-old Celina man on Friday was ordered to serve seven to 25 years in prison for his part in the grisly murder of a retired St. Marys farmer more than 33 years ago.

Tracy Wayne Mabry was the second suspect sentenced for the death of Marcellus Reineke, 71, who was stabbed multiple times in his St. Marys home during a botched burglary in October 1981.

A third yet-unnamed suspect is expected to be charged within six months, Auglaize County Assistant Prosecutor Ben Elder told the newspaper after the hearing.

Mabry, in a deal with the prosecution, pleaded guilty Friday to an amended charge of involuntary manslaughter, a first-degree felony. In accordance with the law at the time of the crime, he faced four to 25 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The plea agreement also requires Mabry to cooperate with authorities on any further prosecutions in the case.

Mabry - dressed in jail garb with shackles at his wrists and ankles - was indicted last year for aggravated murder, which carried a sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole after 15 years. A death penalty specification was not included in the indictment.

Reineke's nephew, Bernie Reineke, spoke in court Friday on behalf of the family. He thanked the St. Marys Police Department for pursuing the case for three decades. He recalled learning about his uncle's murder years ago.

"I remember getting the call ... he was just gone," he told the court.

He said the family was in shock over the "viciousness" of the crime and described his uncle as a "jolly" and gentle man. The unsolved murder was the topic of conversation at many family gatherings through the years, he said.

Bernie Reineke said his uncle's surviving five siblings at the time of the murder "all went to their graves not knowing what happened that night or why. Our family's been through a lot with this," he said.

Mabry chose not to make a statement in court. His attorney, Charles W. Slicer of Dayton, after the hearing told the newspaper he was pleased with the outcome.

"It was a good resolution, probably a proper resolution for all involved," he said.

Elder told the newspaper the St. Marys police officers "stuck to the case like a bulldog. They wouldn't let go."

Mabry, of 8673 U.S. 33, in an unusual move, asked visiting Judge Reginald Routson of Hancock County to sentence him immediately after he pleaded guilty to the amended charge. The judge asked him if he understood the action would remove an option to sentence him to probation and would require Routson to order a prison term.

"Yes, your honor," Mabry replied.

Mabry's accomplice in the crime, Paul Leroy Hoover, 53, of Florida, and formerly of St. Marys, in May was also sentenced to seven to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter.   

According to a statement of facts read by Elder in court, Hoover and the third suspect were driven to Reineke's home on South West Street by Mabry on Oct. 13, 1981. Hoover went upstairs to search for a briefcase he believed contained $50,000 in cash, Elder said.

"Reineke was home and confronted (Mabry and the third suspect)," he continued.

The suspect allegedly spoke to Reineke and then began stabbing him in the chest. The elderly man was stabbed 39 times and also suffered cut wounds and multiple blunt-force injuries "in an effort to have him reveal the whereabouts of the briefcase containing money, as Mabry stood by," Elder said.

After Reineke was dead, the home was searched before Hoover poured lighter fluid on a bedroom mattress and ignited it, Elder stated.

The trio then fled, he said.

Missing from the home were old coins and a watch, Elder said. Hoover later admitted to authorities he found an additional $80 in cash in a dresser upstairs, he noted.