New York liberals think that Black Liberation Army members from the 1970s are no longer dangerous. Including Robert Hayes, who killed a cop.
From the New York Post:
Robert Hayes, a cold-blooded thug who killed a transit cop in a senseless subway platform shootout in 1973, then turned a sawed-off shotgun on the five cops who later busted into his hideout. Transit patrolman and father of two Sidney Thompson, 37, lost his life for merely trying to arrest the then-23-year-old Hayes and a second BLA member for jumping a turnstile. Sentenced to 35 to life in 1974 — before state law mandated life without parole for cop-killers — Hayes will get out as early as July 24, The Post has learned.
“It just broke my heart,” Thompson’s widow, Joyce, 68, said of getting a letter Friday informing her that her husband’s killer was being released. “My husband was killed because he stopped somebody from jumping a turnstile,” she added. “My husband was killed for 15 cents.”
Just two months ago, on April 27, former BLA member and three-time cop-killer Herman Bell, 70, was sprung on parole after serving 47 years of his 25-years-to-life sentence for the ambush murders of two NYPD officers. Two other NYPD cop-killers, Eddie Matos and Anthony Bottom, are also due for parole hearings. Of the state’s 12 parole board members, 10 were appointed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Those Cuomo appointees include the two members who voted to free Bell, and the two — Erik Berliner and Ellen Evans Alexander — who voted to spring Hayes. Even Cuomo disagreed with the decision.
“Our law enforcement officers and first responders have dedicated their lives to keeping their communities safe and anyone who murders one of these heroes should remain locked away,” said Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi. “This is an independent board, but we disagree with this decision in the strongest possible terms.” The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision defended the decision, saying parole board members are independent and required to consider several factors.
“The Board must consider statements made by victims and victim’s families, as well as an individual’s criminal history, institutional accomplishments, potential to successfully reintegrate into the community, and perceived danger to public safety,” said spokesman Thomas Mailey. “So what does this mean, if you killed a cop and you live long enough, you’re gonna get out?” Thompson’s outraged son, Steven, 51, asked The Post.
Governor Cuomo was quick to distance himself from the parole board’s decision, given his 2020 presidential plans. He remembers all to well what happened to liberal Michael Dukakis in 1988 who’s policies allowed a killer to be freed from a prison and kill again. It’s too bad that politicians have better memories about that than the people who are specifically tasked with keeping New Yorkers safe.
AAN Staff
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