Senate scheduled to act on legislation extending time between parole hearings for murderers, violent felons ~ O’Mara, Palmesano joined parents of Derrick Robie of Savona in Albany last week to push for approval for sake of victims’ families

Albany, N.Y., June 8—Last Monday, State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,I,C-Big Flats) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,I,C-Corning) joined legislative colleagues and family members of murder victims, including the parents of Derrick Robie of Savona (Steuben County), to call for the approval of legislation they co-sponsor that would extend the time period that murderers and other violent felony offenders have to wait to apply for parole.

Later today in Albany, the state Senate is scheduled to vote on the measure and bring it one step closer to becoming state law.

O’Mara and Palmesano called on the Assembly Democratic leadership to follow the Senate’s lead and allow a vote on the legislation.

“It’s not fair to Dale and Doreen Robie and all of the other families to have to relive their nightmare every two years.  There’s no sense of justice in putting these families through the anguish, pain and suffering, and the Parole Board should have this discretion to extend the time between hearings.  We’re hopeful that the Assembly Democratic leadership will hear the victims’ families this year and allow a vote on this straightforward legislation.”

Read more on the legislation HERE.

You can watch today’s Senate session live HERE.  The session is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m.