The man who escaped from the "Shawshank Redemption prison" is set to be released on parole on April month. The board of Ohio Adult Parole Authority members ruled the decision to free the convicted man to manslaughter charges after his 20 years sentenced.
According to WFAA News, the board executive session on Thursday afternoon voted to grant parole for the former Shawshank fugitive, Frank Freshwaters. Brad Gessner, chief counsel with the Summit County Prosecutor's Office testified Freshwater serve more than four years in prison.
The son of Freshwaters' car crash victim, Richard Flynt was asked by the board members about his sentiments. He replied that the ruling will be on their hands. Freshwater's released was requested by Shirl Cheetham, who was his long time friend.
Freshwaters' hearing before the parole authorities was held at a conference room at the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections Operation Support Center in downtown Columbus, Florida Today reported. Other testified at the hearings include Crystal Baker, director of victim services with the Summit County Prosecutor's Office.
The now 79-year old former fugitive from the Ohio State reformatory was sentenced with up to 20 years imprisonment in 1959, according to CNN News. Freshwaters pleaded guilty to the charges of voluntarily manslaughter in 1957 after a automobile accident, killing Eugene Flynt, the man Freshwaters fatally struck with his vehicle on July 3, 1957, in Akron, Ohio.
The victim was a 24 years old, married and a father of three. Freshwaters, 21 years old at the time, was speeding on an Akron street when he struck Flynt. But he violated probation and got shipped off to the Ohio State Reformatory, which later provided the setting for the classic film "The Shawshank Redemption."
Freshwaters escaped from a Sandusky prison honor farm and lived in West Virginia and Florida under an assumed identity, William Cox for a half century after his escape. He spent 56 years as a fugitive before authorities tracked him to Melbourne's marshy outskirts.
