Former Tri-State Crematory operator Brent Marsh has been released after serving a 12-year prison term for improperly disposing of 334 uncremated bodies at a facility near LaFayette, Ga.
Marsh was released from Central State Prison in Macon, Ga.
Judge James Bodiford in January 2005 had approved the sentence for the Tri State Crematory operator, saying it was "not perfect, but it is a fair compromise of this case."
Near the close of a day-long highly emotional sentencing hearing, Marsh stood and told victim family members he again apologizes. "I ask for forgiveness for my sins."
He also denied that other family members were involved in the case, saying, "It stops with me."
Marsh did not give family members the "why" they sought. He said, "I can't give you the answers that you want, but I will stand up here like a man. And I will not cry when I go into that cell. I will not whimper."
Marsh, a former football star at LaFayette High School who went on to play for the UTC Mocs, said, "Today must start the healing."
Judge Bodiford at the time said he expected that Marsh would serve most or all of the 12-year sentence.
He said a trial would have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and he said there would have been no "finality" since the verdict would be appealed.
Prosecutor Buzz Franklin said he believed the plea agreement was fair. He said it was an unprecedented case that provided no sentencing guidelines.
He said should Marsh ever attempt to profit from sale of his story that the state of Georgia would go after any proceeds up to $8 million. Marsh told the judge that he had made no book or movie deals and that no one had approached him with any proposals.