Q: I heard that Donald Cronk is out of prison for his murder of James Milton Allen back in the early '80s. Is that true? - Pher, Sacramento
A: Yes. Cronk, now 54, is no longer in prison. He was granted a parole in 2007, records show.
He was serving a sentence of 27 years to life for Dec. 19, 1980, murder of Allen, 50, a Carmichael coin dealer.
Cronk and another man, Glenn Meyer, pleaded guilty to killing Allen.
Meyer, now 64, is serving 27 years to life in a state prison, records show.
A third man, who helped set up the crime, received a year's sentence and a fine in exchange for his testimony against Cronk and Allen, The Bee reported.
Meyer was arrested Jan. 6, 1981, in Sacramento. Cronk, who is believed to have shot Allen, was apprehended six months later in Idaho.
The victim was owner of Allen Coin Shop on Fair Oaks Boulevard. He was shot in the chest and killed when he apparently surprised two burglars at his apartment.
Allen's briefcase, which contained about $50,000 worth of jewels and coins, was taken. Also stolen was a $40,000, 3.88-carat diamond ring that Allen was wearing when he was arrested.
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