NASHVILLE, TN – A Tennessee man’s repeated attempts to end his wife’s life continue to keep him behind bars, as a judge maintained his current sentence in a recent ruling.
Fred Auston Wortman III, age 49, admitted guilt to three separate charges, including attempted first-degree murder and solicitation to commit murder, for his failed efforts to assassinate his former wife. This led to a 30-year prison sentence with the potential for parole after serving a minimum of 30%.
Despite the court’s leniency, which would have allowed Wortman to become eligible for parole after nine years, he sought early release and was denied in 2019 after only four years in custody. This kicked off a series of legal challenges stretching to the present day.
In January 2020, Wortman launched an administrative appeal against the parole board’s decision, only to see it promptly dismissed. He then engaged in extensive litigation with the trial court and parole board throughout the year, resulting in a complex chain of motions and appeals that eventually reached Tennessee’s Court of Appeals in Nashville.
The appeals court delivered a 21-page ruling in November 2021, upholding the original trial court’s judgment. They cited Wortman’s admission of guilt during his parole hearing, particularly noting his attempt to poison his wife’s toothpaste, which was also used by their daughter, as well as his repeated efforts to hire a hitman even while incarcerated.
Wortman argued for early release based on a “risk assessment score” that indicated a low likelihood of future criminal behavior. However, the court dismissed this rationale, emphasizing the gravity of his offenses and the substantial risk he posed if released.
Unfazed, Wortman pursued another legal avenue, challenging the terms of his plea agreement. He contended that the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office’s opposition to his parole contradicted the agreement’s stipulations. Upon review, the Court of Criminal Appeals sent the case back to a lower court to examine his claims.
In March 2025, the lower court heard Wortman’s arguments and again met with opposition from the district attorney’s office. Consequently, the judge reaffirmed the original sentence.
Looking forward, Wortman has another parole hearing scheduled for September 2026, according to Tennessee prison records. However, he will remain incarcerated until his full sentence concludes in August 2040, barring any successful appeal efforts.