By Alyssa Schnugg
News Editor
alyssa.schnugg@hottytoddy.com
Debi and Bobby Freeman are breathing a sigh of relief today after hearing the man convicted of murdering their 4-year-old son in 1985 will not be getting out of prison – at least for the next five years.
On July 24, 1985, Debi Freeman was driving home on College Hill Road with her two sons, Robert, 14, and James Neal, 4, and another boy when bullets came from out of nowhere into her car, hitting James Neal and killing him instantly.
Anthony James Jenkins, 19 at the time, was charged with James Neal’s death and sentenced to life in prison. Court records showed Jenkins thought he was “Rambo” and had been under the influence of drugs and alcohol when he decided to randomly fire a rifle into vehicles that day.
He has remained in prison for the last 33 years; however, the Freemans were notified in July that Jenkins was up for parole. Freeman said numerous friends and supporters wrote letters and made phone calls to the Parole Board, requesting Jenkins’ parole be denied.
On Thursday, they received the news that Jenkins’ parole was denied.
“He comes up again in July of 2024, but I won’t be worried about that. I will have more good days to enjoy my family and friends,” Freeman said.
