WARREN Figure in slaying to get parole hearing

New information presented to the parole board is getting him a new hearing.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
WARREN -- Michael Swiger, serving 21 to 53 years in prison in the slaying of a Munhall, Pa., man in 1988, is getting a new parole hearing despite being told a year ago he wouldn't be released until 2008.
Swiger, 35, was denied release by the Ohio Parole Board in September 2002, but it did give him a projected release date of Jan. 2, 2008, barring any disciplinary or other problems.
However, the parole board said Wednesday it recently received some new information from "local law enforcement regarding community attitude of this offender" and decided to give Swiger a new hearing Sept. 11.
Akron police investigated the slaying.
The board spokeswoman couldn't explain what that new information is, but Michael Pratt, brother of Roger "Butch" Pratt who was beaten to death in Summit County near Akron in June 1988, said he was told by a parole board representative that a number of letters had been received urging Swiger's early release from prison.
Pratt said when he asked who sent those letters, he was told that was confidential.
To gather signatures
Pratt intends to send some letters and petitions of his own to the parole board opposing Swiger's release, just as he's done in past attempts by Swiger and Linda Karlen, another person involved in his brother's death, to get out of prison early.
Pratt said he and his mother, Rose, 64, will be at Central Park on Main Street in Greenville at noon Tuesday seeking signatures on petitions.
They will take them to the parole board offices in Columbus on Aug. 22, Pratt said.
Authorities said Butch Pratt was tricked into going to Akron to visit a young woman but was then abducted and brutally slain to keep him from telling police what he knew about a Greenville furniture store arson and some fraternity house burglaries at Thiel College in Greenville.
His college roommate, Edward Swiger, 37, Michael Swiger's older brother, was convicted in 1990 of beating Pratt to death and is serving 40 years to life for murder with a gun specification and kidnapping.
He can't apply for parole until 2033.
Charges
Michael Swiger was at the scene and participated in removing Pratt's body, authorities said. He was convicted in 1990 of kidnapping with a gun specification and involuntary manslaughter.
Karlen, 50, is serving seven to 15 years for conspiracy to commit kidnapping and has been turned down on her requests for parole.
Ohio must release her in January 2005 when her 15 years are up, but she won't go free.
She will be turned over to Pennsylvania to begin serving five to 10 years for arson in the Greenville furniture store fire.
Karlen was a partner in the store, and authorities said she and Edward Swiger masterminded the fire to defraud an insurance company.
Michael Swiger helped plan and set the blaze, authorities said.
Should Michael Swiger win parole, he must be turned over to Pennsylvania to serve one to five years for arson.
Edward Swiger is facing seven to 18 years in a Pennsylvania prison for the arson, the fraternity burglaries and possession of implements of escape.
Authorities found hacksaw blades in his Mercer County jail cell in 1991 when he was brought to Pennsylvania to be tried for the arson and burglaries.
gwin@vindy.com