Mother of Pulaski County volunteer firefighter killed eight years ago speaks out, calls for killer to be released on parole

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Eight years after bullets claimed the life of volunteer firefighter Lt. Jason Adams, his mother is speaking out again in what she called her final interview.

After attending several court hearings, Adams’ mother Phylis Stroud is now asking for the man convicted of the killing, Mark Pruitt, to be released early.

“It’s been eight years now. Mark has never accepted responsibility for what he’s done,” Stroud said.

Mother of fallen firefighter fights killer’s parole

In Wednesday’s hearing, Stroud requested that Pruitt be released early on parole so that he could be watched and attend programs that give him structure.

She said she believes that imprisonment can only hold people liable for their actions, but for her family that isn’t enough.

“He served eight years so it’s over with for him but unfortunately Jason will never come home,” Stroud said.

“He would not be able to leave the county he’s being paroled out to,” she said. “He cannot come to Pulaski County where my family lives.”

She said she wants Pruitt to feel remorse before freedom, and on May 21, Adams’ birthday, she said she’s requesting that “Mark have to stand out on the corner and hold a sign that states he killed a first responder because he was under the influence of drugs.”

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She said she believes it’s a message that could change the trajectory of other people’s lives who also suffer from drug addictions.

KARK 4 News did attempt to reach out to Pruitt’s attorney and family but received no response. Pruitt’s next hearing is set for April 24 where a decision about his early release will be made.

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