IT WAS A heinous, senseless crime that shocked the nation. On Nov. 10, 1973, Dave "Stringbean" Akeman and his wife Estelle were shot to death at the their outside Nashville in a botched, drug-fuelled robbery. Stringbean was a country music legend, a star of the Grand Ole Opry. Known as a funny, kind man who wore a goofy get-up on stage, he was an unlikely murder victim.Now, almost 38 years later one of two triggermen wants his freedom.
John Brown, 60, has gone before the parole board three times and his wife Debra, believes he should finally go free.
She said: “The act itself will never change. It was horrendous. It was awful. It was an evil thing to do. Nothing can change it, nothing can bring them back. But that heinous act was John’s wake-up call. No time will ever bring that couple back. No time will ever be enough. All we can do is just try to give back to society. John can do that now.”
Brown later told his young fiancee he did not remember committing the murders. Nor did he remember drinking the 57-year-old star's beer and listening to country music as he ransacked the home. He also thought Stringbean had a pile of dough stashed in the house. He didn't.
Debra Brown adds: “They’ve let dozens and dozens of murderers out since John has been in prison. They point to the heinousness of the crime and the public animosity. But neither of those are ever going to go away. How do you overcome public animosity?" Not likely. STRINGBEAN'S KILLER WANT TO GO FREE
Tribute to a man and his wife who lived a simple life only to have it cut so short by young men bent on getting the star's money for their drug habit. Why should he be granted parole, his victims will never get to walk this world again. To David and his wife Estelle, rest in peace.
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