Published May 03, 2016
A judge is sending a fugitive who's been on the lam since walking away from a prison farm in 1959 back to Ohio after his recent arrest in Florida.
Judge Rhonda Babb released her ruling Monday. Seventy-nine-year-old Frank Freshwater appeared in court last week to contest the move. Freshwater had already signed papers agreeing to be extradited, but attorney Bryan Savy asked Babb to void them. Freshwater testified that he "wasn't thinking straight" when he signed.
But Babb says Freshwater "knowingly and voluntarily" waived his right and "was not confused."
Babb had promised to rule by Tuesday, when Ohio officials have arrangements to fly him back.
Freshwater originally pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 1957. He was arrested May 4 in Florida. Deputies used a ruse to match his fingerprints to his decades-old arrest.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/fugitive-who-walked-away-from-prison-farm-in-59-will-be-sent-back-to-ohio-florida-judge-says