Parole denied to Stringbean killer

Dave Akeman a.ka. StringbeanWe have a bit of closure on a story that has incensed a good many fans of old time and traditional country music, one which has prompted two posts here on The Bluegrass Blog this past two weeks.

The Tennesean is reporting today (8/8) that John A. Brown, convicted for the murder of Dave Akeman (a.k.a. Stringbean) and his wife Estelle, has been denied parole by the Tennessee Board of Probation and Parole.

A spokeswoman said this morning that John A. Brown, 57, will not be released after receiving four consecutive “no” votes. He has been recommended for another review in 2011.

Two board members, including chairman Charles Traughber, voted in favor of Brown’s release at a July hearing. The votes prompted an outcry against Brown from former stars of the Opry and fans, who petitioned the four board members who still had to cast their vote.

Read the full piece by Kate Howard online.

0 Comments
Leave a comment
Comments are open and unmoderated for our registered users, only your first comment will require approval before publication. Comments do not necessarily reflect the views of The Bluegrass Blog. Obscene, abusive, silly, or annoying remarks may be deleted, but the fact that particular comments remain on the site in no way constitutes an endorsement of their content by The Bluegrass Blog.

TrackBack URI

You must

  • Register
  • and Log in in to leave comments.

    Follow-up: Stringbean murderer to go free?

    We posted earlier in the week concerning the possibility that John A. Brown, convicted for the brutal murders of Dave Akeman (a.k.a Stringbean) and his wife Estelle, might be released on parole. That piece prompted a note from Sandy Rothman, a prominent west coast picker and former Blue Grass Boy,...

    Stringbean murderer to go free?

    The July 26 edition of The Tennessean, Nashville's hometown paper, has a story sure to be of interest to the many fans of Dave Akeman, a.k.a. Stringbean, one of the most beloved entertainers in the history of traditional string music. He was senselessly murdered on Nov. 10, 1973 along with his wife,...

    New IBMA board members announced

    The International Bluegrass Music Association has announced the election of several new members to its Board Of Directors, the governing body charged with setting long range goals and priorities for the organization. Election of board members is done by an annual ballot sent to all professional IBMA...

    New IBMA Board members announced

    The seating of five newly-elected members of  the Board of Directors for the International Bluegrass Music Association has just been announced. Three incumbent board members return to their seats along with two new members to fill the Board's full complement of 17 members. From IBMA's press release... Alison...

    More on the Dewey Brown, Nathan Stanley accident

    The Bristol Heralnd Courier has a piece in this morning's paper from Claire Galofaro with a few updates concerning the auto accident early Monday morning involving two members of Ralph Stanley's Clinch Mountain Boys. Dr. Ralph's grandson, Nathan Stanley, and fiddler Dewey Brown and his wife Leslie were...

    New Lost City Ramblers founders honored

    While much of the focus for the past few weeks has been on the IBMA Convention and FanFest, there has been bluegrass activity elsewhere in the world. For instance in New York last month Tom Paley and John Cohen, two of the founder members of the influential New Lost City Ramblers, were presented with...

    Alison Brown on The Opry

    Banjo player extraordinaire, Alison Brown will be a featured performer on The Grand Ole Opry program this Saturday evening. She'll perform during the 9:00-9:30 p.m. and 12:30-1:00 a.m. segments, and though the Opry schedule doesn't say so, it's safe to presume that she will have her Quartet in tow. Tune...

    IBMA Fan Fest to be curtailed for ‘06

    We have learned that the IBMA Board of Directors has agreed to change the Fan Fest from a three day event, to something closer to two and a half. Typically, this festival, which serves as a fundraiser for their Bluegrass Trust Fund to assist bluegrass artists in times of emergency need, runs on the Friday-Sunday...

    New IBMA Board Members

    The annual IBMA elections concluded recently with the addition of four new board members. Only professional members vote in board elections. Elected representatives serve for a period of three years beginning with their installment on September 29, 2008. Here are the four new board members, the...

    Alison Brown on the Opry this weekend

    Banjo player, Alison Brown and her band will be performing this Saturday on the Grand Ole Opry radio broadcast. She will be featured in the 9:30-10:00 p.m. and 12:30-1:00 a.m. segments (all times eastern). Noted not only for her fluid, contemporary banjo style, Alison is also the owner of Compass Records,...

    The IBMA Board – who are they?

    IBMA has been on our minds, and on this blog a lot recently. Most of that due to the recent World of Bluegrass event held in Nashville, TN recently. Some of the discussion of IBMA though has sprung from the controversy surrounding this year's award show. Hit the tag for IBMA 2006 Awards above to see...

    Alison Brown Quartet on Mountain Stage

    The recent appearnce by The Alison Brown Quartet on Mountain Stage has just been posted on the show's NPR web page. They perform five songs from their latest Compass Records release, The Company You Keep. Brown has never limited herself to a single type of music. As banjo player with Alison Krauss...