Sister of Murder Victim After Killer Released from Prison: 'We Have Been Wronged By The Justice System'

WATERBURY, CT — The family of a 19-year-old woman who was killed in August of 1984 expressed outrage after the woman's killer was set free from prison Thursday, according to multiple media reports. Judge Ronald D. Fasano ruled that David Weinberg, now 58, of Seymour be released from custody Thursday.

Weinberg was sentenced in 1988 to 60 years in prison for the murder of Joyce Stochmal while she was walking to work. He has served 29 years of his sentence.

The decision came after an agreement between the Connecticut Innocence Project and Waterbury State's Attorney Maureen Platt, which brought up problems with the state's case against Weinberg, reports the Hartford Courant. The agreement changes Weinberg's sentence to time already served, but the murder conviction will still stand.

To sign up for Newtown breaking news alerts and more, click here.

"We are telling the court many things, but among them are these: We have been wronged by the justice system; we have been terrorized by David Weinberg; we have been abused by the Innocence Project; and we have a right to feel this way," Marianne Stochmal Heffernan, Stochmal's sister told the judge according to the Courant's report.

While walking to her job at an animal clinic in Seymour, Weinberg abducted Stochmal and took her to an area beneath Steel Bridge, before stabbing her 17 times and leaving her body in Lake Zoar, reports the New Haven Register. Three people out fishing found her body two days later.

According to Fox News, Connecticut Innocence Project Director Darcy McGraw told the judge that there is no physical evidence linking Weinberg to the crime, and that he has always maintained his innocence. She also added that the jury who found Weinberg guilty did not have the evidence that is currently available today.

Stochmal's family called the ruling "an atrocity," according to Fox News, citing an extensive state police and prosecutor investigation that proved Weinberg's guilt. They also said the Innocence Project has no proof of Weinberg's innocence.

"Justice is truly blind," the woman's parents, Charles and Mary Ann, said in a courtroom statement according to Fox News. "Our family still grieves … Time should heal but in our case it intensifies now with an individual found guilty and convicted to 60 years is going free after not even half of his sentence."

Waterbury State's Attorney Maureen Platt was not immediately available for comment. Check back with Patch for updates.

Image: David Weinberg, 58, in Waterbury Superior Court. He was ordered released from prison Thursday after 39 years. (Lauren Schneiderman/Hartford Courant via Associated Press, Pool)