Long Island 80s Killer Refused Parole Again
PEARL RIVER - Lois Bohovesky had long dreaded the phone call she received right after 8 a.m. Friday — the voice on the other finish was informing her that one of her girl's killers would before long be released from prison.
Robert McCain, who forth with Richard LaBarbera, was convicted in the 1980 murder of Paula Bohovesky, could exist paroled as presently as Aug. 3, according to New York Land Department of Correction records.
"I was not surprised," said Lois Bohovesky, who still lives in Pearl River. "I wish information technology hadn't happened, but I was kind of prepared he was very probable to get out this fourth dimension."
Bohovesky had twice weathered the release of LaBarbera, who was bedevilled with McCain in 1981 for the murder of Paula, so xvi. LaBarbera had originally been paroled in 2019, only was back in prison less than three weeks afterwards after authorities learned he violated his parole by getting drunk. LaBarbera was released again a year ago this month and remains nether supervision in New York City.
Lois Bohovesky said she figured McCain would presently follow.
"All he had to practise is keep his temper downwardly," Lois Bohovesky said of McCain. "He was the ane who first grabbed her."
Co-ordinate to the Department of Corrections and Customs Supervision, later on his release, McCain will exist on parole for life.
Lois Bohovesky said she didn't yet know if McCain would be restricted from going to Rockland County, as LaBarbera had been, or banned from contacting her and others tied to the case.
"I'm more afraid for all the immature women walking effectually," Lois Bohovesky said, reflecting on both killers' release. "If they did information technology once more, my God!"
She added: "I hate to think of them walking around out at that place. And Paula is nevertheless dead."
A community fought back
Over the years every bit Lois Bohovesky and her son, Peter, have fought against parole for the two, they have been supported by many in the Rockland County community and beyond.
Former Rockland Legislator John White potato created a nonprofit, "Petition for Paula," defended to the Pearl River loftier schooler'due south memory and committed to fighting parole for LaBarbera and McCain.
White potato said the prison system favored evil over justice with this conclusion. "The killer of Paula Bohovesky committed a very heinous beastly law-breaking for which he never apologized or expressed remorse or regret and at present he will be gratis to alive the residue of his life amongst us," Tater said. "This adds to the pain and suffering of Paula's Mother and all parents."
Lois Bohovesky still hears from friends of Paula and knows that letters poured into the Parole Board every time either human was due to announced.
"I merely think it's incredible that in that location's all that back up and memories of Paula," Lois Bohovesky said. "I feel very thankful that she was that important to people that that retentivity was kept open."
But many figured Paula's killers would benefit from a button to cutting prison house costs by letting out older prisoners, who are considered less likely to reoffend.
LaBarbera is now 68 and McCain is lx.
"They're withal immature plenty to do harm," Lois Bohovesky said. "I but accept to hope that they are watched closely enough that they don't kill some other young adult female. That's the real fear that I accept."
That concern was seconded by Bob Baird, who was managing editor of The Journal News on the day Paula was killed and in his retirement has advocated against her killers' release.
Joan D'Alessandro: Killer of vii-year-old Daughter Sentry dies in prison
Mothers' mission: NY nib bans parole for killers who sexually assault victims under xviii
Alyssa'southward Police force: Bill would mandate silent panic buttons to warn of school shootings
"These two guys both told the parole lath repeatedly they both had drinking bug," Baird said. "What prevents one of these guys from going on a bender and taking the half-hour train ride up to Pearl River?"
Lois Bohovesky has also stood with public officials and Rosemarie D'Alessandro, another female parent of a murdered daughter, to advocate for Paula's Police, which would block parole for anyone who sexually assaults and and then kills a victim nether 18.
Paula'south Police force would supercede Joan'due south Law, named for Rosemarie's girl, which currently bans parole for child-molester killers whose victims are under fourteen.
Drinking, then killing
Court testimony pieced together the events of Oct. 28, 1980:
McCain, an Arkansas out-of-stater, obviously met LaBarbera at a Pearl River bar where the ii spent hours drinking.
According to court records, they saw Paula Bohovesky, and so a Pearl River High School senior, walking down Main Street on her way domicile from her task at the Pearl River Library.
McCain struck her across the caput with a chunk of pavement and allegedly sexually assaulted her, according to police and trial testimony.
LaBarbera watched before he allegedly tried to sexually assault her, thinking she was dead.
When Paula stirred, LaBarbera stabbed her repeatedly.
LaBarbera was on parole at the time for a drug conviction.
Both, at diverse times, denied killing the teenager or blamed the other during past parole hearings.
They were convicted of second-caste murder later a 1981 trial and sentenced to 25-years-to-life in prison house.
Now, Lois Bohovesky said, she waits for the transcripts from McCain'due south Parole Hearing that took place in late June and led to the release decision that she has fought for twoscore years.
"I find it hard to even think nigh it anymore," Lois Bohovesky said just a couple hours after an officials from the state's Office of Victims Services let her know about McCain'due south impeding release.
"I try to remember memories of Paula," said Lois Bohovesky, a retired puppeteer whose daughter was an aspiring actress. "I think about her every day, I always take. And most of the days it's happy memories."
On days like Friday, when the focus shifts to the perpetrators, Lois Bohovesky said the pain is "all in that location afresh."
"I'yard certain this is true of everybody who lost a child that way," Lois Bohovesky said. "Information technology doesn't mean it's piece of cake to take."
Staff writer Steve Lieberman contributed to this report.
Nancy Cutler writes about People & Policy. Click here for her latest stories. Follow her on Twitter at @nancyrockland.
Source: https://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/rockland/2021/07/02/murderer-robert-mccain-pearl-river-teen-paula-bohovesky-1980-paroled/7838850002/
0 Response to "Long Island 80s Killer Refused Parole Again"
Post a Comment