COLUMBUS (AP) — Relatives of a man who disappeared from an Ohio prison camp in 1959 while serving time for manslaughter and was found last year in Florida say they’re relieved and overjoyed that he’s been granted parole.
Ohio’s parole board decided Thursday that Frank Freshwaters should be released April 24, about a week after his 80th birthday. Exactly where he’ll go hasn’t been settled, but the conditions for his release include five years of supervision.
One of Freshwaters’ sons wiped tears from his eyes after the decision was announced. Another son who was born months after the accident that got Freshwaters in trouble says he’s hoping to get to know him better.
Prosecutors had argued that Freshwaters changed his name, avoided accountability and never paid the restitution ordered for his victim’s family.