Staci Jones is actively working to prevent the parole of her ex-husband, Fred Wortman, who is seeking early release from a 30-year prison sentence for multiple attempts to murder her. Wortman is scheduled to appear before a parole board on September 9.
Jones has launched an online petition, which has garnered over 8,400 signatures, urging the board to keep Wortman incarcerated. In a statement accompanying the petition, she described his crimes as "deliberate, calculated, and repeated," adding that the "trauma inflicted on our family remains" more than a decade later. She expressed fear that Wortman has not changed and could pose a danger if released.
Wortman, a former attorney, was sentenced in 2015 for attempting to kill Jones three times. During his trial, prosecutors detailed how he first injected aconitum, a plant-based toxin, into his wife's toothpaste. Jones reported experiencing a burning sensation in her mouth and a migraine after brushing her teeth. She also claimed that one of their children became ill after using the contaminated toothpaste.
Further investigation revealed Wortman had used his work computer to research how to hire a hitman using Bitcoin and how to poison someone. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation became involved when Wortman paid an undercover agent posing as a hitman, providing his wife's address, her schedule, and leaving potential weapons at their home. While awaiting trial, he also attempted to solicit the murder of his wife from a fellow inmate.
Wortman pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted first-degree murder and one count of solicitation of first-degree murder. He received a 30-year sentence with parole eligibility after serving 30% of his term. His first parole hearing in 2019 was denied, and the board stated it would not reconsider his case for another seven years. This upcoming hearing on September 9 marks his second bid for early release.
Jones stated that her three children were young when the murder attempts occurred and are now adults. She noted that her children support her efforts to keep Wortman imprisoned and believe he would seek to contact them if released. Jones is urging others to sign the petition not only for her safety but also for the general public's well-being, stating, "I don’t want him to be roaming the streets and having freedom to do what he wants to do. Cause it’s a scary thought."