New Video - John Brown Before Parole Board!

..."I cannot imagine me doing it, but I done it" - John Brown before the Parole Board 2011...

Opponents and advocates for John A. Brown's Release Speak Out In Front Of Tennessee Board of Parole

With Tears, John A. Brown Asks for His Freedom!

..."I am totally, totally opposed to parole for Mr. Brown.  I don't care what he's accomplished in prison.  What else could he do?" -Grand Ole Opry Star Jan Howard....

Update: Two Parole Board Members Say No to John Brown

John A. Brown, the man who killed beloved "Hee Haw" and "Grand Ole Opry" star David "Stringbean" Akeman and his wife, Estelle, almost 4 decades ago appeared before the Tennessee Board of Probation and Parole Tuesday morning to again ask for his freedom.

John Brown before Parole Board - 2008 

For nearly an hour, two Tennessee Parole board members listened to John Brown's tearful plea for freedom.

We can't help but note the striking contrasts and differences between Brown's tearful plea today for his release from prison and the documented plea of Stringbean's wife Estelle 38 years ago when she, on hands and knees, was begging for her life to be spared just before Brown admittedly pulled the trigger and put a bullet in her head.

Both Parole Board Members attending the hearing today voted against Brown's release.

The remaining five parole board members will vote in the coming days after reviewing the material from Tuesday's hearing.

It will take four of the seven votes for Brown to be granted the parole he seeks.

Brown, now 60 years old, has served 37 years of his 198-year sentence for killing the Akemans in 1973 as they returned to their home following a performance at the Grand Ole Opry.

At the end of Tuesday's hearing, he turned to those opposing his release and asked for their forgiveness.

"I asked the board to do the hard thing and give me parole," he said, adding, "I made a promise to myself when I was in solitary conferment that I wanted to help people and influence them, and I think I have."

Brown has received his GED, his associate's degree and served as a prison pastor and mentor to other inmates while behind bars.

Opry member Jan Howard was among those who spoke out Tuesday against Brown's release.

"I am totally, totally opposed to parole for Mr. Brown. I don't care what he's accomplished in prison. What else could he do?" she asked.

The state parole board has previously denied Brown's request for parole three times, most recently in the fall of 2008.

If his request is again denied, the next time Brown would be eligible to seek parole would be in 2017.

Stringbean Killer's Parole

READ UDATED STORY HERE

Tom T and Dixie Hall talk with
Prescription Bluegrass Host Brian McNeal

We heard from Tom T. and Miss Dixie Hall who, along with Grand Ole Opry Star Bill Anderson are making this urgent plea to the Country and Bluegrass communities.

John A. Brown, one of the two men convicted of killing Stringbean and his wife years ago, is coming up for parole on July 19th.  So far, there has been very little opposition to his being released.   I talked with a lady named Jennifer Brinkman, who is connected with victims' rights board....or something like that....for the state.  She suggested the following: 

If you would like to protest the release of John A. Brown, you can send her an e-mail at:  jennifer.l.brinkman@tn.gov  and just let her know you oppose it and why.

Those of us who knew String and Estelle will never fully get over the brutal way in which their lives were taken from them. One of the killers has died while incarcerated. The other should never be allowed to go free.
Please take a minute to e-mail this lady, and urge your friends to do likewise. The amount of opposition to his parole kept him behind bars  last time. It needs to do so again.
Thanks,
Bill Anderson
Dixie Hall and Tom T. Hall

Read More about David "Stringbean" Akeman

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John Brown has been behind bars for the last 34 years for the murder of David "Stringbean" Akeman and his wife, Estelle.

Stringbean Murderer John Brown before Parole Board

Akeman (Stringbean) was one of the original cast members of "Hee Haw" and a protégé of Uncle Dave Macon, one of the biggest stars of the Grand Ole Opry in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

His killer is now just two votes away from being released from prison on parole.

Two parole board members who were present at the hearing voted to parole Brown.
"He's done well and I don't believe he'd pose a risk to anyone.  I think it's time he be granted parole," said Parole Board Chairman Charles Traughber.

The five other members will review the file and will vote within the next month.  He must receive a total of four votes to be paroled.

Remembering Stringbean (June 17, 1915–November 10, 1973)

Remembering Stringbean on what would have been his 96th birthday today!    

Born David Akeman, he was a banjo player and comedy musician best known for his role on the hit television show, Hee Haw, and as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.  Akeman and his wife were murdered by burglars at their rural Tennessee home in 1973.

Akeman came from a musical Kentucky family and was taught to play banjo by his father. He traded a pair of prize bantam chickens for his first real banjo at the age of 12 and began playing local dances where he developed a reputation but could not earn a living as a musician.