Fry to move to Hope House in Coralville

IOWA CITY - A man who beat an elderly Iowa City man to death after a night of heavy drinking has been freed from prison and ordered into work release by the Iowa Board of Parole after deliberations about to how best to balance his model behavior in prison versus the nature of his crime.

Curtis Fry, 24, was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the Feb. 7, 2008, death of Patrick McEwen. Prosecutors said Fry was highly intoxicated after a night of drinking with friends in downtown Iowa City when he broke into the 75-year-old man's apartment and beat him to death. Fry was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.

The parole board on Wednesday ordered Fry to a work release prison in Johnson County. Defense attorney Peter Persaud told The Gazette via email Thursday that Fry will remain in prison until a spot opens up at the Hope House community corrections facility in Coralville.

After work release, Fry will take part in an intensive parole and must complete 120 days of community service.

“There's a life that has been taken for no good reason, and if you stay in prison, guess what? You're alive,” parole board Chairwoman Elizabeth Robinson said. “Your parents can see you. This poor man lived a humble life not bothering anybody until you beat him to death.”

Fry continued to express remorse for his crime. He was asked by the members of the parole board what he would tell McEwen if given the opportunity.

“I think the No. 1 thing is just apologize with all my heart and let him know there's no way I would intentionally do it,” Fry said.

Rabbi Jeff Portman of Agudas Achim Synagogue in Iowa City, where McEwen was a longtime member, said McEwen didn't have many known family members, so the synagogue helped to fill the void of family.

“I think Patrick, being the kind of guy he was, would have forgiven him,” Portman said. “We can't forgive him on behalf of Patrick - that's just not in the cards for Jewish tradition.”

Fry was described as a “model offender” by a Department of Corrections officer and was commended by the officer and parole board for completing several programs in prison, working in the prison's clothing department and helping put together a band for the prison's volunteer banquet.

“I've been a criminal defense attorney for a long time and the one thing I can tell you is that Curtis Fry is an extremely contrite young man. He will tell his story to all who will listen in hopes of avoiding similar tragedies,” Persaud wrote in his email to The Gazette.

Portman said he accepts the decision made by the Parole Board, and he hopes Fry will use the experience to educate others about the dangers of alcohol.

“(Fry) isn't a bad guy - he screwed up royally,” the rabbi said. “I don't think he's a perpetual abuser or murderer.”