Letter to the Editor: Help Keep One of Paula Bohovesky's Killers in Prison

Dear friend of Paula Bohovesky,

In the event, you don’t know the story of Paula. please visit www.petitionforpaula.org

And then think about helping us, especially Paula’s Mother.

We understand that Richard LaBarbera, one of those convicted in Paula’s brutal murder in October 1980, may be appearing before a parole board this coming week, about six months earlier than previously scheduled.

We appeal to you, as a supporter of justice to write a simple personal letter indicating your strong opposition to the parole potential. Since time is of the essence you need to fax this letter this weekend, if possible, to the State of New York Division of Parole at 518-445-6070, attention Betty, to let them know you want Richard LaBarbera NYSID#3268395H; DIN#81A2806 to be denied parole once again and serve out his maximum sentence of life in prison.

LaBarbera has been denied parole each two years since 2005, a process that forces Paula’s mother Lois and brother Peter to relive the horror of her disappearance while on her way home from the local library and the tragedy discovered the next morning.

Paula, who would now be 50, was found brutally beaten, stabbed and strangled in a pool of her own blood, her clothes in disarray. A bright and shining future died with her just blocks from her family home. She was an artist, musician and actress with unbounded talent and compassion. Along with her family, friends and Pearl River High School classmates, we were all robbed of a young woman of unlimited potential.

In his previous parole hearings, LaBarbera has deflected direct responsibility, admitting that he had at least two opportunities to save Paula’s life but did not do so because of his own self-interest and that he also acted to hinder the police investigation. In May 2009 he told parole officials that on the night Paula Bohovesky died, “I lost sight of what it meant to be human.”

A jury saw fit to convict him of Paula’s murder, a verdict upheld on appeal. Parole boards have denied his release from prison in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013. Please write and fax this weekend, urging a new parole panel to do the same and keep Paula Bohovesky’s killer where he cannot harm society again.

Lastly, we encourage you to forward this email to anyone you know that would feel the same way, and of course please direct them to our website, www.petitionforpaula.org, to sign the online petition.

Thanks for helping,

Petition for Paula
Board if Directors
Info@petitionforpaula.org