John’s story inspired our mission.

At 17 years old, John Manard was unaware of felony murder, a distinctly American rule of law which carries with it the punishment of first-degree murder. John’s character and charm was irresistible. I fell in love and helped John Manard escape. I gave John the best twelve days of his life and he gave me a reason to live.

The story you may not know is that John and I have kept in touch on and off for the past 18 years. In fact, Chris and I visited him in prison in New Hampshire several years ago.

Recently, John reached out wanting to be sure we (he and I) were in a good place and to apologize if he ever hurt my feelings. We rekindled almost daily conversations. When John told me he wanted to study the bible, Chris and I quickly volunteered to send him one. John was reluctant to accept because he didn’t want to be a burden. But if I “insisted on sending one, he hoped it could be a leather one because he didn’t have anything nice”. I sent a red (his favorite color) leather study bible and I know he was spending time in it.

John told me his favorite thing to do was just open the bible at random and read what was there. He was amazed that it always seemed to be just the thing he needed to hear.

Chris has been passionate about ending felony murder as soon as he learned John’s story. So when we started talking about doing a podcast together, Chris decided that would be our purpose. On Friday, August 23, 2024 Chris and I talked to John on the phone for quite a while. John was excited about our podcast and we made plans for him to call on Monday, August 26 to be recorded for our first episode.

On Sunday, August 25, 2024, John was found unresponsive in his prison cell.

Felony murder murdered John Manard.

I was blessed to receive his red bible and some of his ashes.

Vince Gill wrote this song for his brother. His emotion while singing it reflects how we feel about John’s life – and death. Coincidentally, this was recorded at the Grand Ole Opry – a place John and I visited together.

We are crushed, but John is free.

He was 45 years old and had been in prison for almost 29 years
– except for 12 days…
in February of 2006.

Fly free – finally – with all our love.
Chris and Toby