Fugitive’s Family Hopes for Leniency
Charles Free, a fugitive that was on the run for more than 30 years, appeared for the first time in a Las Vegas courtroom Monday morning.
Conrad Claus, his attorney, asked the judge for 24 hours to talk to with his client and the fugitive hearing on extradition was rescheduled for Tuesday.
In the meantime, Free’s family is hoping for leniency because they say Charles Free is a terminally ill man.
Back in 1976, Free was serving a seven year sentence in Jackson, Florida for armed robbery when he escaped from his life behind bars. According to his attorney, he was in a work release program and escaped because another inmate had put a contract on his life.
Free, whose real name is Jack Hazen, made his way to Las Vegas where he started a new life. He has been married for 27 years and has two children. His family knew nothing of his past until he was arrested.
For 32 years, police in Florida have been looking for Hazen and got a break when they received a tip he was in Las Vegas.
Detectives say it is amazing that he stayed under the radar for so long. But when they went to arrest him at his home they say he willing admitted to his identity and has been cooperating with the authorities.
Tags: charles, florida, free, fugitive, hazen, Robbery
Categories: Robbery
February 5th, 2008 at 1:18 am
I’m sorry but I really think they should give him a break. He made a mistake of robbing someone and for 32 years he’s been a good citizen. Not giving community trouble! I live in Las Vegas and I know baby rapers are getting release from local jail and this poor old man who obviously is a change man! Give me a break people!
February 7th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
JACK HAZEN ANSWER THIS…. YOU ESCAPED PRISON???? YES… WELL HOW CAN YOU HAVE FAIR TREATMENT IF OTHER INMATES DO THE SAME THING ALL OVER THE U.S. THEY ENDED UP BACK IN THE STATES WERE THEY ESCAPED…. ITS DOESN’T MATTER IF YOU SICK OR NO SICK…. NO EXCUSE’S!!! IS IT FAIR FOR YOU OR OTHER PEOPLE WHO ESCAPED FROM PRISON NOT GO BACK…CHANGE YOUR INDENTY ALSO?????
February 9th, 2008 at 9:59 am
There’s no question that you have to answer for the crimes you do. I’m sorry that his new family has had to learn that their father is not the man they thought he was. Imagine what his children that he left behind thirty years are feeling wondering why he ran away, changed his name and never came looking for them. It’s great that he’s rehabilitated, maybe he’s worked off his debt to society, what about the spiritual debt he left behind 30 years ago.
February 11th, 2008 at 10:46 am
It’s a little late to punish him now,if hes been leading an honest life and has a family,they will pay more than him,and on top of it if he’s termally Ill,his family will pay more than him,there’s a lot more vicious people out here than this old man.I know there’s a lot of perfect people out here that want to see him back in jail,not me,it would not serve any real purpose at this late date,just hateful vengence!!!!
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:25 pm
Florida has long been very unethical with it’s legal processes, many people convicted in Florida were caught up in something in which they did nothing wrong.
I was an example.