Bill Would Ban Parole For Rape, Murder Of Person Under 18 [POLL]

NEW YORK — In 1980, 16-year-old Paula Bohovesky was sexually assaulted and fatally stabbed while walking home from work in Pearl River in Rockland County.

Richard LaBarbera and his accomplice, Robert McCain, were convicted of Bohovesky's murder and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

LaBarbera was granted parole in 2019; he is required to wear a GPS ankle monitor and is not allowed to leave the five boroughs of New York. He has been directed to remain out of Rockland County.

McCain was granted parole last week and will be released from prison later this summer.

News of the state parole board's decision has angered members of the Rockland community who have, for years, fought to keep the two men in jail.

Lawmakers continue to push bills in the Senate and Assembly to enact "Paula's Law."

The law is "designed to ensure that persons who molest and then murder a child under the age of eighteen will never be released from prison."

"Paula's Law" would amend "Joan's Law," which called for a ban on parole for someone who murdered a child under the age of 14. "Joan's Law" would not have affected Bohevesky's case.

Besides legislation — both bills from the previous sessions are still in committee — there are calls for the New York State Parole Board to resign.

Assemblyman Mike Lawler, R-Pearl River, and Rockland County Executive Ed Day said the board should resign following their decision to release McCain.

Lawler called McCain an unrepentant child rapist and murderer.

"I don't understand how any human being could see and hear about what happened to Paula Bohovesky and think her killers deserve freedom," he said.

Day issued a statement that said this wasn't the first time the parole board "slapped the people of New York State and Rockland County in the face."

"I urge the Parole Board to restrict McCain from ever setting foot in Rockland County," he said, "and I pray that he is closely monitored so that no further innocents are harmed by this monster."

The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision said in a statement that parole board members base their decisions on whether standards for release are satisfied according to the law, News 12 reported, and take into account statements from the victim's family, as well as the prisoner's criminal history, accomplishments while incarcerated and perceived risk to public safety.

Now it's time for you to weigh in on the issue. Vote in our unscientific poll and tell us what you think in the comments.