(WHAS11) --Twenty-five years ago Sally Diamond's family had to sit through a trial and hear all the graphic details on how Diamond was killed. Now they say they are willing to go through all of that again if it means her killer will remain locked up.
In 1986 Jeff Bischoff was just a teenager, his older sister Sally Diamond was 22-years-old. 'She was working her way through school by working at Sears at Jefferson Mall,' said Jeff Bischoff. One of Sally Diamond's co-workers was John Anthony Harris. Bischoff says Harris stalked and harassed his sister for months.
'We had solicited the help of the police, but it was one of those situations he had not done anything what-so-ever,' said Bischoff. What seemed like a case of infatuation to Bischoff and his family turned deadly in April of 1986.
Sally Diamond was on her way home after going to the movies on South Watterson Trail in the Fern Creek area. Bischoff said, 'John blocked the road with his car; he and his accomplice were in the car. John got out of the car, took a 22 pistol and stuck it through the window and shot my sister in the head; she was placed in the trunk of the car.'
John Anthony Harris and his friend, James Elmore, took Diamonds body and dumped it in a wooded area in Oldham County. 'In addition to that, he abused her corpse after she had passed,' said Bischoff.
John Anthony Harris was convicted by a jury of murder, kidnapping and tampering with physical evidence, and abuse of a corpse. Harris got life without the possibility of parole for 25 years. His accomplice, James Elmore, cut a deal with police; he served some time, but is now out of prison.
Harris' 25 years is up and he is now eligible for parole; something Jeff Bischoff is trying to stop.
'This was a cold calculated murder. John should do exactly what he's doing today; he should wake up every morning behind bars and when his time on earth is finished, they can bury him in his prison clothes. He doesn't belong out in society,' said Bischoff.
Next week Bischoff will go in front of the parole board in Frankfort speaking on behalf of his sister. Sally Diamond's family will speak to the parole board and tell them why they want John Harris to remain in prison. A couple days later John Harris will get his chance in front of the board before they make their decision.
