Longtime fugitive-turned-model citizen pardoned in Georgia

Jet, Jan 12, 1998

Sam Turner is a free man again, and this time it's official.

The state of Georgia recently pardoned the former fugitive who was recently recaptured after he walked away from a prison detail 46 years ago.

Turner, who spent one night in jail when he was captured, was granted an emergency leave by Georgia state Corrections Commissioner Wayne Garner while the parole board made a decision.

"Look at his age and medical records," Parole Board Chairman Walter Ray said. "What is there to be served by putting him in prison?"

Turner, 75, was hospitalized with pneumonia at press time.

When authorities finally caught up with Turner, who was nabbed by a routine check of driver's license renewals, he was sitting in his den watching television.

According to state records, he had been free longer than any other recaptured fugitive in Georgia.

He was serving up to five years in prison for voluntary manslaughter after he shot and killed Charlie Lipford in 1947. He was paroled after a year but was back in prison a few months later when he was convicted of burglary.

On May 7, 1951, Turner was at a Dodge County work camp when he asked to be excused. He never returned.

Since his escape from prison Turner has lived under his real name about 100 miles from where he served time. He held a job as a machinist, eventually married, had children, applied for Social Security benefits and had a driver's license. He was even arrested for drunk driving and sent home.

His family and others he knew were shocked at his criminal history. He had a seemingly normal life in the little town of Lincolnton, where he became a church deacon and model citizen. Even a street in the subdivision where he lives bears his name.