Rally June 15 To Protest Parole For Paula's Killers | WATCH

From All For Paula

PEARL RIVER, NY — Advocates who have worked for years to keep the two men who savagely beat, assaulted, and murdered 16-year-old honor student, Paula Bohovesky, while she was walking home from the library, are planning a demonstration June 15.

They will gather at 8 p.m. to show their objection to the parole of Richard Labarbera, and the possible parole of Robert McCain.

Labarbera, who has previously stated, in relation to his role in the girl’s murder, that he “lost sight of what it meant to be human,” is not the first violent criminal to be released this year by the NY State parole board, and the issue is politically charged; however, he and McCain pose unique risks to the community, organizers said.

Neither man was charged with sexual assault, so upon their release, they will not be included on a sex offender list, and they will be free to work near or with children.

The SAY SOMETHING protest will begin in the Central Avenue Park, at the pavilion, where the crowd will hear opening remarks from County Executive Ed Day.

Protestors will then line up on the Franklin Avenue sidewalk, in single file, in silence, and carry a candle two blocks to the Main Street park, following the slain student’s final footsteps.

The event is being coordinated by All For Paula, an advocacy group of 575 volunteers, many of whom were Paula’s classmates, who have worked diligently in the past to keep Paula’s killers in prison, including a highly publicized freeze mob.

The event is also supported by Petition for Paula, a non-profit organization run by retired county legislator John Murphy, which has been devoted to collection petition signatures and raising funds for the cause for 14 years.

Paula’s niece, who now lives abroad, has worked with the advocacy group in the creation of a victim impact statement, published to the internet early this week. In relation to a generation raised in the shadow of such a heinous crime, she states, “There’s a monster under every child’s bed. We knew ours by name.”

Personal invitations to the event have been extended to top state lawmakers. It is hoped that the governor, who has not yet responded, will intercede and “say something” in the way of recommendations to the parole board, many members of which he appointed, that they might reverse their decision.

SEE ALSO: One Killer Of Pearl River Teen Paroled Despite Community Efforts

CORRECTION: This article has been corrected to remove 6th District Legislator Alden Wolfe as a speaker at the rally. Inaccurate information was originally provided to Patch.