UPDATE: In a shocking development, Dwan Farrow, one of the men convicted for the 1975 murder of Bedford Heights Police Detective William Prochazka, has been granted parole. This decision was announced just hours ago, igniting outrage among the victim’s family who have been fighting for justice for decades.
Detective Prochazka was fatally shot while responding to a robbery at a paint store on Northfield Road. The release is set for on or after January 6, 2026, under the condition of five years of supervised release. Family members are devastated, with Prochazka’s granddaughter, Jessica Riley, stating, “I can’t wrap my mind around how these men received the death penalty, then life in prison, and now they are walking free.”
Farrow, along with Michael Manns, George Clayton, and Duran Harris, were originally sentenced to death. However, after the death penalty was overturned in 1978, their sentences were commuted to life imprisonment. Harris, the getaway driver, was released in 2003, with the family not notified about his release, further compounding their pain.
The decision to grant parole to Farrow raises serious questions about the justice system’s handling of violent offenders, especially those convicted of killing law enforcement officers. The family of Detective Prochazka has expressed their dismay, emphasizing that this is yet another devastating blow to their quest for justice.
As this situation develops, it is crucial to monitor how the community and law enforcement respond to the release of Farrow and the broader implications for ongoing discussions about criminal justice reform. The outrage from the Prochazka family highlights the emotional toll these legal decisions take on victims’ families, who continue to seek closure and accountability.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.
