Forgiven, But Not Forgotten: Classy Kelsey Grammer Absolves Sister’s Killer, But Won’t Endorse Parole -- It 'Would Be A Betrayal Of My Sister's Life’
July 30 2014, Published 12:38 p.m. ET
Kelsey Grammer, appearing via satellite at a Colorado parole hearing for his sister Karen Elisa’s rapist and killer Tuesday, told the contrite convict that while he personally forgave him for the 1975 crimes, he would not dishonor his sister’s memory by endorsing the prisoner’s bid for parole.
The inmate, 57-year-old Freddie Glenn, is currently serving a life sentence at Colorado’s Buena Vista Correctional Facility. Eighteen at the time of the July 1, 1975 killings, a teary Glenn groveled for "a second chance,” said he has a fiancée and a $200,000 trust fund waiting for him on the outside, should he be paroled.
The classy star of Boss, Cheers and Frasier kept his composure in the emotional event, telling the admitted killer, "I want to believe you have actually changed your life … things you say, I accept a lot of it.”
Grammer asked the convict, "If someone did to your sister what you did to mine, what would you think should be done to him?”
Glenn replied, "I would be hurt, and I would be angry. I would like to think one day I would forgive.”
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Grammer summed things up in saying, "I accept that you live with remorse, but I live with tragedy every day. I accept your apology. I forgive you. However, I cannot give your release my endorsement."
The actor, 59, said that to bless the idea of Glenn’s parole "would be a betrayal of my sister's life."
The actor five years ago was more vociferous in his efforts to block Glenn’s possibility of freedom, calling him a “butcher” and a “monster” in an email to the parole board during Glenn’s 2009 attempt.
"When we heard this man might be paroled, the suffering began anew,” the venerated screen star wrote in 2009. "I was her big brother. I was supposed to protect her — I could not.
"Can you be certain he will not slaughter another innocent life and destroy another family?"
The parole board has not yet delivered their decision Wednesday.