Although Michael Swiger was sentenced to serve 21 to 53 years in an Ohio state prison for his role in the June 1988 kidnapping and murder of Roger "Butch" Pratt, he could be released as early as Jan. 2, 2005.

The Ohio Parole Board made the decision Tuesday afternoon, a spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Corrections said.

Michael Pratt, Butch Pratt's brother, said he heard the news about Swiger's possible parole through word of mouth.

"I'm waiting to hear from the parole board," he said. "I want to find out what my options are. It's only a projected release date; it's not final. But I want the parole board to tell me what it means."

Pratt said the decision was hard for his family to take, especially coming when it did.

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