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In what has become known as the “Fairbanks Four,” the men were convicted of the murder of John Hartman, who was found beaten on a Fairbanks street corner in 1997. He died in the hospital two days later.
George Frese (freeze), Kevin Pease (peez) Marvin Roberts and Eugene Vent were convicted of murder, and spent 18 years in prison. The evidence of their case was re-examined in a five-week-long hearing in 2015, which included evidence that other people may have beaten Hartman.
Their convictions were vacated. Contract attorney for the City of Fairbanks, Matthew Singer, says they agreed not to sue the City or state as part of an agreement for their release.