NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The killer of Grand Ole Opry and “Hee Haw” comic David “Stringbean” Akeman and his wife, Estelle, is being released from prison after spending 40 years behind bars.

WTVF-TV (http://bit.ly/1pgRqgs ) reports 64-year-old John A. Brown is being released from prison on Monday.

On the evening of Nov. 11, 1973, Brown and his cousin, Doug Marvin Brown, ransacked the Akemans’ cabin on their farm near Nashville, looking for the cash Akeman was rumored to keep there.

Police said the cousins were surprised by the Akemans as they returned home from the Opry. John Brown shot Stringbean Akeman as he walked into the cabin, then ran after his wife and shot her.

Brown said at a parole hearing in April that he was sorry for his actions and has tried to change his life.

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Information from: WTVF-TV, http://www.newschannel5.com

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