An Akron man who has served half of his four-year prison term for a deadly bar fight was granted an early release Monday morning.

Summit County Common Pleas Judge Alison Breaux, who rejected two previous early-release requests from Robert Jarvis, approved his latest motion and placed him on probation for five years.

Jarvis, a retired teacher with no previous criminal record who had many people in court to support him, was pleased by the judge’s decision.

“He’s relieved that he’s going to get the chance to go home and be with his family,” said Mike Callahan, Jarvis’ attorney. “It was a tragic event. He didn’t mean for that to happen.”

Jarvis, 67, was working as a disc jockey at the Zodiac bar on Triplett Boulevard in Akron when prosecutors say he got into a fight just after midnight Jan. 8, 2016, with Forrest Ryan, 43, of North Canton. Jarvis punched Ryan in the head. Ryan collapsed and died.

Jarvis pleaded guilty under an agreement with prosecutors in November 2016 to involuntary manslaughter. Jarvis’ family pushed for probation, while Ryan’s family sought the maximum of 11 years in prison. Former Common Pleas Judge Todd McKenney landed in the middle.

Breaux, who inherited the case from McKenney, rejected Jarvis’ early-release requests in July 2017 and April 2018. Callahan filed another request in December.

Callahan said Jarvis hasn’t gotten into any trouble in prison and has participated in the programs available to him. He said Jarvis will have financial and emotional support from his family when he is released.

Seventeen family members and friends sent Breaux letters supporting Jarvis’ early release. They pointed to his experience as a special education teacher and coach, service in the U.S. Army, and love and support of his family.

“He is more than his mistake,” wrote Dara Templeton, Jarvis’ niece. “My uncle is not a threat to anyone and not allowing his release will harm society. Our society needs more great men like my uncle.”

Assistant Prosecutor Greg Peacock, however, opposed Jarvis’ release. He said Jarvis “without provocation, viciously attacked” Ryan. He said the four-year prison sentence was a “well-deserved punishment” for Jarvis’ crime.

A lawsuit filed by Stacy Ryan, Ryan’s widow, against Jarvis and the Zodiac was settled in April. The terms were not disclosed in court documents.

Ryan and her family were devastated by Jarvis' release.

"Although no amount of time will bring Forrest back, releasing the man that admitted to killing him with his bare hands is an injustice that is impossible to comprehend," Ryan said in an email. "This is one of the hardest days of my life, aside from having to tell our kids their dad was dead. Having to explain that the man who killed him is home with his family tonight after serving just two years! It's hard enough for me to deal with as an adult, how can I expect our kids to? How do I answer questions I myself don't have answers to? There are not enough words to express our extreme disappointment."

Callahan said he thinks everyone can learn a lesson from this case about the danger of losing one’s temper. He said three punches were thrown and only one really connected, but that was enough to leave one man dead and another in prison.

“If ever there was an argument against violence, this is it,” Callahan said.

Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705, swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com and on Twitter: @swarsmithabj.