Would-Be Ford Assassin Goes Free

Attempted presidential assassin and Manson Family member Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme is free after more than 30 years in prison, ABC News reports. Fromme. 60, had completed her term for the attempted assassination of Gerald Ford—she didn’t get off a shot—but was held longer because of a 1987 breakout to be with Charles Manson, who had been diagnosed with testicular cancer.

“Any time you release someone with a violent past it's a gamble,” a criminologist says. “That said, it is relatively rare to see someone of advanced age committing serious crimes.” Manson’s prosecutor is less sympathetic. “If you do something like that against the president of the United States, the need for deterrence increases,” he says. (More Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme stories.)