Man convicted in 1979 killing released in time for Christmas

CHICAGO -- Larry Mack is a convicted killer who admits his crime, but he was home for Christmas and could remain free because judges have agreed the killing was accidental.

Mack, 48, admitted killing 59-year-old security guard Joseph Kolar in the botched 1979 robbery of West Pullman United Savings Bank in Chicago. He was sentenced to death, though he said the killing was an accident that happened because he was struggling with Kolar over a gun.

In 1995, Cook County Criminal Court Judge James Schreier and the Illinois Supreme Court voided the death penalty because of the crime's accidental nature, and last year Schreier changed the sentence to life in prison.

Mack's attorneys argue that he would have been sentenced to no more than 40 years in 1979, and could have gotten out after 20 with good behavior.

Criminal Court Chief Judge Paul Biebel ordered him released on bond Tuesday, pending a Jan. 9 hearing to settle his sentence.

"I apologize for what happened," Mack said as he embraced family members on Christmas Eve.

"It is a tragedy and something I regret for the pain and suffering that I caused.

"I pray that one day his family will find forgiveness. It is something I have to live with."

The Cook County state's attorney's office opposed Mack's release, but a spokesman said attorneys lacked time to prepare a response to an Illinois Appellate Court order calling for Biebel to release Mack.

"We think he should be in prison for the rest of his life," spokesman Jerry Lawrence said. "It's somewhat disheartening to see someone out on (personal recognizance) bond before his appeal is even finished. He committed a horrible, heinous crime."

Kolar's family has opposed Mack's release.

Mack's family members said he requested Popeye's fried chicken for his first meal at home. He was spending Christmas with family members including great-nieces and great-nephews. His parents, two brothers and a sister have died during his captivity.

"I feel overjoyed and blessed," he said. "I'm going to be with the family and live one day at a time and try to get my life in order."