O’Mara and Palmesano will join the parents of Derrick Robie in Albany today to call for the approval of 'Lorraine's Law'

Albany, N.Y., May 9—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,I,C-Big Flats) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,I,C-Corning) will join legislative colleagues and family members of murder victims, including the parents of victim Derrick Robie of Savona (Steuben County), Dale and Dori, at a news conference in Albany on Tuesday, May 9. 

They will call for the approval of legislation they co-sponsor to extend the time period that certain convicted murderers have to wait to apply for a parole hearing.

Tuesday’s news conference is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. in Room 130 of the Legislative Office Building in Albany.

Robie was four years old in August 1993 when he was murdered by Eric Smith, 13, in a wooded area near Robie’s home in Savona.  In 1994, Smith was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to nine years to life in prison.  He is incarcerated at the maximum-security Collins Correctional Facility outside Buffalo. 

Smith first became eligible for parole in 2002 and has been denied parole eight times, including last April.  Under current law, he’s eligible for another parole hearing in April 2018.

Under the legislation O’Mara and Palmesano co-sponsor (S.2997-A/A.2350-A), now known as “Lorraine’s Law,”  Smith and certain other convicted murderers, at the discretion of the Parole Board, could be required to wait five years instead of the current two years between parole hearings.  Sponsors and supporters of the legislation believe this longer timeframe will help spare the families of victims from repeatedly facing the emotional anguish of a parole hearing every two years. 

The legislation is sponsored by Senator Kenneth P. LaValle (R-Port Jefferson) and Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr (I,D,WF-Sag Harbor).

This story will be updated later today.