CONCORD — The man convicted of killing a Cabarrus County teen in 1978 will remain behind bars.
The family of Phoebe Alisa Barbee has confirmed that Roger Warren Clark has been denied parole.
Clark received two life sentences for the kidnapping and murder of Barbee after a 10-day trial in April 1979.
He was issued a third life sentence for kidnapping Gay Porter in Rowan County the same day.
Clark, 55, was eligible for parole because he was convicted and sentenced under the state’s old sentencing laws. Under current law, someone sentenced to life in prison is not eligible for parole.
The family launched a Facebook page called “Justice for Phoebe” in February, asking community members to support their efforts to keep Clark incarcerated by writing letters to the parole board protesting his release.
“This could not and would not have been possible without the support and prayers of our friends, family, and the community,” said a post on the Facebook page. “We went to the parole board armed with hundreds of letters. The impact of those letters was amazing.
“On behalf of Phoebe’s family, we thank you all. Words cannot express the depth of our gratitude.”
Barbee’s body was found in a southern Cabarrus County field the day after Clark lured her into his car,
He convinced her something was wrong with her car as she drove on N.C. 27.
Barbee was on her way home from work at Wendy’s about 3 p.m. on Sept. 11, 1978, when Clark offered to give her a ride,
An autopsy report later revealed severe head injuries including disruption of the brain and multiple skull fractures. Defensive wounds were also found on Barbee’s forearms and hands.
Evidence also indicated Barbee was raped and sodomized.
Earlier that day, Clark also coaxed Porter to pull her car over on Interstate 85 with the same ploy. Porter got into his truck and Clark made advances, but he let her out in Cabarrus County when she realized his intentions and jerked the truck’s steering wheel, running it into roadside signs.