World War II flying ace fights to get out of Fla. jail
By The Associated Press Thursday, April 17, 2008BARTOW, Fla. - A noted World War II flying ace from central Florida will find out next month whether he’ll finally get out of jail.
A Polk County judge on Thursday set a hearing for May 21 to determine if 86-year-old Abner Aust should be freed after spending the past seven years behind bars for hiring someone to kill one of his ex-wives.
Prosecutors say Aust is a menace who should be in prison.
Friends and supporters are expected to testify that Aust is a national hero who won’t do any harm if he is freed.
Aust is credited with shooting down five Japanese fighters in dogfights over Tokyo in the waning days of World War II. He went on to fly 300 combat missions and command a squadron in Vietnam.
His attorney suggested that he be released into an assisted-living home.
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