Dave Freeman

[unsolvedfan4life]

Does anyone remember this disturbing case. A farmer by the name of Time Good hires a guy called Ben. He later thinks that he owns the farm and starts beating up his friend. Later when they move he takes his family with him and changes his name from Ben to Dave Freeman. He turns Tim Good into a slave and prisoner. Makes him gather wood for kindling. He preaches to him and tells him "The Lord says a man don't work a man don't eat." And rambles more to him. He locks him in a basement and treats him like a prisoner. Later Tim was found dead. He was strangled by Dave Freeman. The police pieced together everything by reading his diaries. It was very strange. I know he is arrested now. I hope they threw away the key. Anyone remember this bizzare case????

[PracTz]

I remember the case- and they'd even insisted on the farmer selling his property and moving to another farm with them. Thankfully, they finally caught the monster (and have imprisoned him) ! He drained every dime from the landowner then killed him and stayed on until his money ran out but what I never understood was why the farmer didn't put up even the slightest resistance to any of this!

[UMfan77]

Good questioin.

[Kyle416]

Anybody know what Freeman's sentence was?

[ernmerica]

I still don't understand why the farmer would allow this man to take his living space. I mean, imagine the day Dave Freeman moves into his space, if it's anything like it is described on UM, the farmer was just a pushover and took his blanket into the dungeon where he would die.

[Steve W.]

"I still don't understand why the farmer would allow this man to take his living space. I mean, imagine the day Dave Freeman moves into his space, if it's anything like it is described on UM, the farmer was just a pushover and took his blanket into the dungeon where he would die."

I agree. That's sure what the original segment made it seem like. Stand up for yourself, man! And if that's not making things better, call 911 and try to get some help in dealing with the guy.

[TheCars1986]

I think Tim was someone who was easily manipulated and after months of months of Freeman's "preaching" he became brainwashed, and in effect, a slave of the mind to Freeman. I'm almost positive on the Farina hosted episodes they say he has since been released from prison. What a pos, he still should be in jail.

[Steve W.]

"What a pos, he still should be in jail."

+1

[SteelersFan83]

This segment has always managed to captivate my interest. I too find it extremely odd how Dave Freeman managed to exert as much influence over Tim Goode as he did. I think Dave Freeman was one of those rare people that turn up that possesses the ability to persuade and manipulate people into submitting to their every wish, usually through religion. Some people on UM that come to mind who are also like this are Nelson Decloud and Tony Alamo.

[Mysteryphile]

There have been a lot of charismatic "preachers" that can have convinced their followers to do a lot of crazy things (kool aid anyone?) I think the farmer genuinely believed this guy had some higher spiritual connection with God and that by following him and listening to him and doing what he said he would also get that connection. I think the farmer was searching for meaning in his life and this guy provided that by re-connecting him to god. (why else put up with everything that guy put him through?)

[WishfulDreamer]

No, no, no! Please tell me this guy is still in jail and that Farina didn't say that!

[Jon]

Does anyone have any updates on this? Was Freeman released from prison? I've never seen the Farina version, just the Stack version. I also wondered if Freeman's wife was charged with any crime. They both lived in that house and depleted his bank account while Tim's remains were left in the basement. And I'm sure she assisted him when he was a fugitive.

[TheCars1986]

Originally Posted by Jon

Does anyone have any updates on this? Was Freeman released from prison? I've never seen the Farina version, just the Stack version. I also wondered if Freeman's wife was charged with any crime. They both lived in that house and depleted his bank account while Tim's remains were left in the basement. And I'm sure she assisted him when he was a fugitive.

Yes, on the Farina hosted UM, they show the update where Freeman is apprehended at his home, and then he he states something to the effect of "He has since been released...", unfortunately. I'm not sure about Freeman's wife however, but I would assume if she testified against him she may have struck a deal with the prosecution to not be prosecuted.

[5thBeatle]

Yep, Freeman was a car mechanic, living in an apartment with four kids. Was sentence to only 10 years for Involuntary Manslaughter!!! He is a free man now. That is just crazy for murdering someone. Also what happen to the 1 million dollars he took from Tim? He spent all of it in one year? Very strange case

[James T]

Originally Posted by TheCars1986

I think Tim was someone who was easily manipulated and after months of months of Freeman's "preaching" he became brainwashed, and in effect, a slave of the mind to Freeman. I'm almost positive on the Farina hosted episodes they say he has since been released from prison. What a pos, he still should be in jail.

Yep-he pretty much signed his own death warrant when he let that guy take over like that rather than just booting him off his land. Manipulators look for weak willed people searching for something & exploit them fully. Belief systems are a powerful thing.