To the Tennessee Board of Parole,

I, Daniel Frye, along with my sisters Sheila Frye Cruz, Christie Frye Troglen, Lisa Frye Betschart, and Michelle Frye Spray, and our family’s next generation—Jared Hefley, Parker Betschart, Amanda Troglen Briggs, and Zoe Cruz—respectfully submit this petition urging you to deny parole for Jimmy Ray Cureton (Offender #00291142). This request is deeply personal, as our father and grandfather, Windham M. (Bill) Frye, was brutally murdered by Cureton on January 26, 1990.

Our father was a loving husband to our mother, Jean Frye, and a devoted father and grandfather. He worked tirelessly to provide a safe and nurturing home for his family. On that tragic day in 1990, our lives were irreversibly shattered when Cureton took his life over an argument stemming from our father’s refusal to sell him a pack of cigarettes. Cureton was 17 years old at the time.

The crime was heinous. Cureton committed felony murder and attempted especially aggravated robbery, shooting our father at point-blank range with a sawed-off 12-gauge shotgun, striking him in the face and chest. The pain and trauma inflicted on our family cannot be overstated. The loss left a wound that has never healed.

We firmly believe that individuals who commit such violent crimes must be held fully accountable for the duration of their sentence. Granting parole in this case would minimize the gravity of the offense and undermine public trust in the justice system’s responsibility to protect society from violent offenders.

While we acknowledge the role of rehabilitation, some crimes are simply too severe to merit early release. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, juvenile homicide offenders have concerning rates of recidivism—underscoring the need for continued incarceration, both to protect the public and to deliver justice.

Denying parole to Cureton would send a message that Tennessee values the lives of innocent victims and will not waver in holding murderers accountable. It will also stand as a deterrent to others.

We also ask that the next parole hearing be set for the maximum allowable interval of six years from September 1, 2025. Our family had to endure six agonizing years without justice while the case remained unsolved. Cureton initially lied to law enforcement when arrested the night of the murder, was released, and lived free for six years while we fought for justice.

This crime changed our lives profoundly. Over the past 35 years, I, Daniel Frye, have devoted countless hours as an advocate for crime victims—not only on behalf of my father, but also for other families in Knoxville. I was a founding member of the East Tennessee Victims’ Rights Task Force, and have worked with HOPE for Victims and the National Organization of Victims of Juvenile Murderers (NOVJM). I’ve heard hundreds of heartbreaking stories from survivors of juvenile offenders.

In 2015, I was honored to receive the Voice of the Victims Award from TRICOR, the Tennessee Department of Correction, and the State Board of Parole. While grateful for the recognition, I wish it had never been necessary.

In 2016, my sister Lisa and I became trained volunteer facilitators for the Tennessee Department of Correction’s victim-offender dialogue program. As facilitators, we believe that acceptance of responsibility and genuine remorse are essential for any offender seeking redemption. At his last parole hearing, Cureton denied involvement in the crime. He has yet to demonstrate accountability. Until he does, we believe he should not be released.

Each of my sisters has also been shaped by this tragedy:

• Lisa served victims of domestic violence as a civilian and then became a police officer.
• Christie, a retired lifelong nurse, has cared for many—including criminal offenders—with compassion.
• Sheila, guided by deep faith, has ministered to others with trauma through healing prayer.
• Michelle has dedicated her career to prevention and public health efforts in our community.

The person most impacted—yet now silent—is our mother, Barbara Jean Frye, who passed away in 2017 after suffering from Lewy Body Dementia. She was only 56 when our father was murdered and had to return to full-time work to survive. The trauma haunted her mentally for the rest of her life, manifesting in violent, delusional episodes tied directly to our father's murder due to her dementia diagnosis. It is one of the deepest and most unforgivable wounds we’ve endured.

In closing, we ask: Is it justice to release someone who took a life in such a senseless and violent way, without remorse or accountability? We believe it is not.

We respectfully request that you deny parole for Jimmy Ray Cureton and uphold the sentence originally imposed. Doing so will affirm the value of our father’s life, protect the public, and support the principles of true justice.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Daniel Frye
Sheila Frye Cruz
Christie Frye Troglen
Lisa Frye Betschart
Michelle Frye Spray

Grandchildren:
Jared Hefley
Parker Betschart
Amanda Troglen Briggs
Zoe Cruz