UPDATE: A shocking confession has emerged as Kerry Houston, a 67-year-old man from Otis, Oregon, seeks to identify his victim from a violent robbery that took place over 50 years ago. In a heartfelt plea, Houston is determined to make restitution for the $80 he stole from a man behind a Lewiston grocery store in 1975.
Houston, who was just 17 at the time, admitted to the crime during an interview with the Tribune, stating, “I want to make restitution to the family of the one I harmed.” As he prepares to confront his past, Houston has set aside $800 in hopes of compensating the victim or their family.
The robbery occurred when Houston, then living in a very different America, attacked an unsuspecting man loading expired produce into his truck. “I snuck up behind him and hit him with a stick,” he recalls, acknowledging the gravity of his actions. The man was left unconscious, marking a dark moment in Houston’s life that he has carried for decades.
Despite his turbulent youth, marked by alcohol abuse and anger issues, Houston has turned his life around. He has been sober for 30 years and now seeks closure. He admits he never learned the victim’s identity and worries about the man’s fate, saying, “I’ve wondered since then if it killed him.”
Houston’s confession poses a unique challenge. The Lewiston Police Department has limited records from that time, as paper documents older than 10 years are typically destroyed unless they involve unsolved murders. Store manager Lisa Powell confirmed there are no records of the robbery at the now-closed Albertsons where it occurred.
With no clear path to identify the victim, Houston has urged anyone who might remember the robbery to come forward. “It’s time for me to come clean,” he stated. He is prepared for any consequences, including jail time, although the statute of limitations for robbery and aggravated assault is generally five years in Nez Perce County.
This plea for amends not only highlights Houston’s regret but also serves as a poignant reminder of the long-lasting impacts of violence. As a father of two, he expresses gratitude for his sons’ continued support through his struggles. “I want to find out who the people are that I need to repay,” he concluded, reflecting on the importance of accountability.
Houston’s story is a call to action for the community. Anyone with knowledge of the incident or the victim is encouraged to come forward and help Houston find closure. As this story develops, it raises questions about redemption and the possibility of healing for both the perpetrator and the victim.
Stay tuned for more updates as this remarkable story unfolds and captures the attention of those seeking justice and reconciliation.
