Mike Bobseine, New York State Assembly Candidate, released a statement regarding Edward Kindt, Kindt’s violations of his terms of Parole, and Bobseine’s proposal for much-needed reforms if elected.

Bobseine is running to fill the seat currently held by Andrew Goodell. Bobseine is running as a candidate of the Democratic, Working Families, and Restore Freedom Parties.

“The release of Penny Brown’s rapist and murderer from prison last year and his subsequent violations of his parole conditions have angered and frightened our southern tier community,” said Bobseine.

“Edward Kindt was 15 years old when he raped and murdered Penny Brown, a mother of two, on Mother’s Day in Salamanca in 1999.

“Sentenced to prison for 9 years to life, the New York State Board of Parole released him from prison and to parole by a majority vote of three Parole Commissioners, two votes to one vote.

“The dissenting vote was made by Commissioner Joe Crangle, from western New York.

“Subsequent to Kindt’s release to parole, Kindt has absconded from his parole supervision on two occasions.

“Kindt faces few real consequences for his parole violations.

“Kindt’s release to Parole points up serious concerns about how the State’s Parole Board reviews cases and releases violent felons or sexual offenders.

“And, Kindt’s unlikely return to prison despite his Parole violations points up serious concerns about post release Parole procedures.

“I join Sen. George Borrello in his anger about how the Kindt case was handled by the Parole Board. I go further however by working with stakeholders, especially current Parole Officers and Officials, to offer realistic substantive changes to both the Parole Board and our post-release Parole program if elected to the New York State Assembly.

“As for the Parole Board, there are currently 15 Commissioners. Whether to release someone from prison may be decided by as few as two commissioners as in the Kindt case.

“I will propose that four commissioners must hear parole reviews for persons convicted of violent felonies, sexual abuse felonies, or weapon-related felonies. The commissioners must be geographically balanced across the state, with at least one from each of the State’s four Judicial Departments. And, in order for release to Parole, the commissioners must be unanimous in their determination for release.

“As for post-release Parole violations, including by persons convicted of violent felonies, sexual felonies, or weapon-related felonies, I will propose that State Law is amended to (a) Increase the number of Parole Officers; (b) Provide judges with discretion to remand Parolees to prison on the basis of their danger to the community or themselves, not just whether they pose a flight risk; (c) Reinstitute a streamlined process to determine parole violations; and (d) Permit victims and interested parties to participate in Parole Violation Hearings by sworn affidavit as opposed to in-person so as not to be re-traumitized and re-victimized.

“Edward Kindt perpetrated a horror on Penny Brown, her family, and our community. I will work hard to make our community safer, to fix the problems with our Parole System, and not allow Edward Kindt and people like him to continue to spread fear,” Bobseine concluded.