Florida

Fugitive on Lam Since 1959 Caught in Florida Now Fighting Extradition

An attorney for fugitive who had been on the lam since walking away from a prison farm in 1959 is fighting his extradition back to Ohio after a recent arrest in Florida.

Last week, 79-year-old Frank Freshwaters waived his extradition, but attorney Bryan Savy is set to ask a judge Thursday to reconsider. Savy says in a motion that Freshwaters was under stress and not fully aware of the implications when he signed papers prior to an initial court appearance. He also says Freshwater wasn't appointed a lawyer or advised of his right to one.

Freshwaters was arrested in Brevard County about a week after sheriff's deputies used a ruse to get his fingerprints, which matched those from his decades-old arrest.

He originally pleaded guilty to manslaughter back in 1957.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us