Florida Parole Commission Hears 'Prison Houdini' Case

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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) — Locks couldn't contain a man known as the prison Houdini. Having successfully escaped seven times in 13 tries, he earned his moniker. But now after 35 years he might be free for good –  this time without an elaborate escape.

Florida's parole commission voted Wednesday to move Mark DeFriest's potential release date from 2085 to March 2015.

DeFriest was sentenced to four years in prison for stealing tools in a case his lawyer says is a family matter that got out of hand.

DeFriest was 19 when his father died and left him some tools. But he didn't wait for the will to be read and took them from his stepmother's shed.

Time kept getting added for every escape attempt, essentially turning it into a life sentence until the commission's decision Wednesday.

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