By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com
NORTH KINGSVILLE — A North Kingsville councilman who strangled his wife 21 years ago will be released from prison next month, relatives of the victim said Monday.
The Ohio Parole Board, after a hearing last week, agreed to release Thomas Dickinson, said Kristin Sparks, daughter of Vickie Dickinson, who was killed in July 1988. Dickinson has served 20 years of a 10-to-25 year sentence for voluntary manslaughter, according to information from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.
Dickinson, 49, is scheduled to be released in late June, Sparks said. At Dickinson’s request, he reportedly will be released to a half-way house in Cuyahoga County, she said. He will remain on parole for another five years, Sparks said.
Friends and family of the victim have regularly fought to keep Dickinson behind bars, and last week’s hearing was no exception. Some 15 people representing the victim attended the hearing, Sparks said. An equal number were on hand in support of Dickinson, she said.
After a brief consultation, a majority of the eight-member Parole Board members voted to release Dickinson, Sparks said.
Relatives of Vickie Sparks predicted the outcome and bear no ill will against the board, Sparks said.
“We thought it would be their decision,” she said. “We’re grateful he’s done 20 years.”
Family reaction was subdued, Sparks said.
“I’ve tried to let it go, but the last couple of days I’ve been pretty numb,” she said. “Not a whole lot has been said (by the family).”
Vickie Dickinson’s naked body was found along LaBounty Road in Ashtabula Township. She had been strangled, officials said.
The Dickinsons were married in May 1987, according to reports. Ten months later, Thomas Dickinson sought a divorce and restraining order, according to news accounts at the time.
Dickinson, a village councilman at the time, began serving his sentence in May 1989, according to the ODRC.
