Curtis Fry Talks About Life Since 21st Birthday Killing

By Mark Carlson, Reporter

Tools

By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Feb 1, 2012 at 10:38 PM CDT

Story Updated: Feb 2, 2012 at 1:16 AM CDT

IOWA CITY, Iowa - Curtis Fry has been asked to speak at more than two dozen events since being released from a work release facility on January 18th. He has already spoken to wrestlers, Christian groups, and students about the night he killed 75-year-old Patrick McEwen.

“I know God has a reason for everything and I feel like he gave me this story to share with people,” Fry, 24, who speaks as a volunteer said. “Not to keep it to myself.”

In May of 2009 a judge sentenced Fry to serve 10 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter. Fry had originally been charged with second degree murder after breaking into McEwen’s Iowa City apartment and beating him to death in February of 2008. Fry, who lives in Wilton, was in Iowa City to celebrate his 21st birthday.

“How could I do this, how could this have happened?” Fry said during an exclusive interview Tuesday night. “There’s no way I would have intended for this to happen.”

Fry said he doesn’t remember anything about the incident.

“I wish him luck and hope he dedicates his life to teaching young people about the problems of drinking,” said Jeff Portman, McEwen’s closest friend and Rabbi at Agudas Achim Synagogue in Iowa City. “I have mixed emotions about him getting out so soon, but I’m not convinced what further incarceration would accomplish.”

In August Fry was granted work release by the Iowa Parole Board, just three and a half years after McEwen’s death.

“Everyone has their opinion,” Fry said about his early release. “I want people to know I have a God who loves me and has forgiven me.”

Fry is currently commuting from Wilton to Iowa City where he has a full-time job.

He said he never plans to drink alcohol again.