Former U.S. President Gerald R. Ford makes a point at a National Security Council meeting during the Mayaguez crisis at the White House in Washington in this May 13, 1975 file photo. REUTERS/Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library/David Hume Kennerly/White House Photograph/Handout

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The woman who tried to assassinate President Gerald Ford is expected to be released from prison on August 16 after serving her sentence, a U.S. Justice Department official said on Wednesday.

Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, a one-time follower of mass murderer Charles Manson, has been serving a life sentence but was eligible for parole almost 25 years ago. She had waived her right to parole previously and chose to remain in prison.

The 60-year-old Fromme is scheduled to be released on August 16, according to Felicia Ponce, a spokeswoman for the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Fromme has been incarcerated at a prison in Fort Worth, Texas.

Ford was unharmed when a Secret Service agent grabbed a semi-automatic .45-caliber pistol aimed at him by Fromme on September 5, 1975.

Fromme had told her defense attorney she staged the attack because she “wanted to get some attention for a new trial” for Manson and members of his gang.