Estelle and Stringbean Akeman
John Brown, the man convicted of killing Grand Ole Opry and Hee Haw star David “Stringbean” Akeman and his wife Estelle, was granted parole today (Oct. 15).
Brown was 23 when the murders occurred in 1973. He and his cousin Doug Brown shot and killed the couple, who were returning to their Ridgetop, Tenn. home following an Opry performance. Doug Brown was convicted and died in prison in 2003.
Today John Brown is 64 and has served more than 40 years of a 198-year sentence. He has been denied parole multiple times in the past. Brown reportedly has a history of good behavior in prison and earlier this year underwent a psychological evaluation to determine whether he would be a danger to society. He told the parole board that he has two degrees and a job waiting for him upon release, which will likely come in the next six weeks.
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Sarah Skates has worked in the music business for more than a decade and is a longtime contributor to MusicRow.View Author Profile
