This commentary is not about the murder. Frank Dryman was convicted of murder and should have spent life in prison, period.

The Montana Board of Pardons and Parole will surely sleep well the next few nights. On Friday they revoked the parole of 78 year-old Frank Dryman. He can apply for parole in five years – when he is 83.

Great Falls Tribune reporter John S. Adams (who is quickly becoming one of the better print reporters in the state) has the story HERE.

For those readers who have not followed the case, Frank Dryman was convicted of murder here in Montana and, after several new trials, was sentenced to life in prison – which is appropriate for murder in my book. In 1969, for some reason, the State of Montana paroled Dryman. He served 15 years.

A little over two years later (1971) Dryman disappeared. He supposedly led a productive life volunteering in his community including being on a “sheriff’s posse.” I did not read that he ever broke the law during this time.

A member of the murder victim’s family found him in Arizona in March 2010. He was brought back to Montana.

Maybe the inept members of the Montana Board of Pardons and Parole felt vindication by revoking his parole, which they are entitled to do. Continue reading →