Ronald Veverka was sentenced to life in prison on five counts of first-degree murder in connection with a Feb. 9, 1977, fire in his Des Moines apartment building. Prosecutors contended he intentionally set the fire, which killed five people, in including a young mother and her 5-year-old daughter.
Veverka contended he accidentally set the fire when he tried to light a cigarette while drunk.
Vilsack, in granting executive clemency, said Veverka possessed no motive to kill and his crimes appeared ``directly related to a serious alcohol-abuse and mental-health problem, which he sought to address on many occasions prior to his incarceration.''
Vilsack said Veverka must abstain from alcohol, receive continued mental-health treatment and become involved in community service.
The Iowa Board of Parole is waiting for Veverka to finish pre-release programs before making a final decision, said Elizabeth Robinson, board chairwoman.
That is likely to be by midsummer next year, said Fred Scaletta, an Iowa Department of Corrections spokesman.
``Considering that Veverka has lived and functioned very well in a minimum-secure setting, and he has been a tutor in the education program, he is not going out as a high-risk,'' Scaletta said.
Veverka's daughter, Leah Reinstein of Lilburn, Ga., said she wants her father to move to her home with her husband and two children.
``The fact that I will be able to have my father in my life is absolutely wonderful,'' she said.
