Pubdate: Thu, 05 August 1999
Source: Inquirer (PA)
Copyright: 1999 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc.
Contact:  http://www.phillynews.com/
Forum: http://interactive.phillynews.com/talk-show/
Author: Lacy McCrary, Inquirer Staff Writer

21 YEARS OF FREEDOM, BUT HE CAN'T ESCAPE

In 1978, 18-year-old Harold T. Frye fled to Florida rather than stand trial
on drug-possession charges in Bucks County. He made a new life for himself,
married, bought a home, raised three children, and worked two jobs.

Through the years, he made morethan a dozen undetected trips back to Bucks
County to see relatives, according to his wife, Debbie.

But two weeks ago, on July 21, Frye, 39, was stopped by Bristol Township
police for speeding on Bath Road. Police discovered the old charges, added a
new one of carrying a gun without a license, and locked him in Bucks County
Prison.

Yesterday, Frye, one day short of his 40th birthday, was sentenced to three
to 12 months in jail by Common Pleas Court Judge Kenneth G. Biehn, who said
he approved the 1977 charges when he was the district attorney.

"He was a stupid kid and ran away," said Frye's wife, Debbie, 39, in a brief
interview. She said that she was dating him then, and that her family moved
to Florida in 1978. She said they married in 1981.

Frye was arrested by a state police undercover task force in October and
November 1977 in Bristol Borough. He was charged both times with possessing
methamphetamine with intent to deliver. When he did not show up for a Sept.
11, 1978, court date, a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.Frye pleaded
guilty yesterday to the 1977 drug charges and the 1999 gun charge. "I have
three lovely children and good jobs," Frye told Biehn.

Michael Parlow, Frye's attorney, told Biehn that Frye's job was being kept
open for him in Florida, and asked for house arrest. Parlow also said Frye
was licensed to carry the handgun in Florida, but not in Pennsylvania.

Biehn agreed to let Frye serve his term under house arrest at his
grandmother's Bristol Borough home, and to be paroled to Manatee County,
Fla., when his release is approved.

His wife, who flew up from Florida to support her husband, said Frye's visit
last month was made to pay the taxes on his grandmother's home and to take
his brother, who suffers from diabetes, to a dialysis treatment.

Besides avoiding police notice on visits, the couple lived in Bristol
Borough for a year in 1989-90 without incident, Debbie Frye said. She said
her husband has worked for 11 years as a salesman and installer of fire and
safety equipment for two companies.

In recent years, she said, he also has cared for his 87-year-old grandmother
and 42-year-old retarded sister in their four-bedroom Florida home.

"He is a good person, a good father and a good provider," she said,
repeating sentiments from a four-page letter she gave to Biehn before her
husband was sentenced.

- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D