Newnam confessed to Minot Police on Sept. 25, 1985, that he was present when two rural Minot residents, Charles, 75, and Cora Abernathy, 66, were murdered in their home. The 24-year-old Newnam was convicted on June 9, 1986, and sentenced to consecutive life terms in prison.

According to Tom Slorby, then Ward County state’s attorney, Newnam initially agreed to testify against accomplice Kevin Austin but later refused to do so. Without Newnam’s testimony, said Slorby, a conviction of Austin was not likely. As a result Austin avoided trial while Newnam began serving time behind bars.

It wasn’t until 1993 that Newnam contacted Ward County Sheriff Vern Erck and agreed to testify against Austin. A jury later convicted Austin and he was sentenced to two consecutive life terms. He remains in the State Penitentiary.

As a result of Newnam’s decision to testify against Austin, Newnam’s sentence was amended to two concurrent terms of 50 years each. With time earned for good behavior his sentence was considered complete after 33 years of incarceration.

Submitted Photo This photo of Cora and Charley Abernathy appeared in the Minot Daily News on Feb. 11, 1985. Cora, 66, and Charley, 75, were the victims of a double homicide in their rural home.

Newnam’s release was confirmed by the Department of Corrections Thursday. Where Newnam went, or where he intended to go, was not publicly known.