Pa. Lawmaker Takes On Controversial Parole of Upper Merion Wife-Killer
By Brad Segall
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- A state lawmaker from Montgomery County is jumping into the fray over the controversial decision by the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole to release former University of Pennsylvania professor Rafael Robb (see related story), who bludgeoned his wife to death in their Upper Merion home more than six years ago.
State representative Mike Vereb calls the planned release later this month "unconscionable," "a travesty," and "mockery of justice." He has fired off a letter to the parole board saying he believes that granting parole to Robb after having served only half of his 5-10 year sentence sends the wrong message to victims of crime.
Vereb also plans to draft legislation in the next week to give families more of a say in the process.
"Absolutely the families should have an absolute right to approach this Parole Board and discuss their grief and anguish and let them be part of the determining factor as to whether this person is ready to come back to society," he tells KYW Newsradio.
He also spoke to Governor Corbett to see if there's anything that can be done at the executive level.
Vereb says the state's attorneys are looking into whether they can weigh in on this issue.
