Killer of country comic ‘Stringbean’ and wife paroled after 40 years in prison
Posted October 15, 2014 2:42 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The killer of country comic David (Stringbean) Akeman and his wife, Estelle, has been granted parole after 40 years in prison.
John A. Brown was originally sentenced to 198 years. The board had denied several previous parole requests.
His latest request came in April, at which time the board decided to ask for a psychological evaluation on his propensity for violence. Their Wednesday decision to grant parole came after the board reviewed that evaluation.
The Akemans were fatally shot in 1973 as they returned home following a performance of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Stringbean also performed on the TV program “Hee Haw.”
The bodies were found by fellow Opry performer Grandpa Jones.
Brown and his cousin were convicted in the killings. The cousin died in prison.
