Paroled Killer Re-Arrested for Alleged Groping Incident
A man recently paroled after serving time for murdering a teenage girl in Rockland County was arrested again this month on allegations of groping a woman.
Robert McCain was released from parole in 2021 after completing a lengthy sentence for the brutal slaying of 16-year-old Paula Bohofesky in 1980. This was, notably, his tenth chance at parole after spending 40 years behind bars.
However, McCain, now 64, seems unable to stay out of legal trouble.
On July 5, he was apprehended for allegedly inappropriately touching a woman while they were conversing at Upper Westchester County Dog Park.
“This unacceptable situation shows precisely why Robert McCain should have never been paroled,” remarked Republican Representative Mike Lawler in a statement.
Lawler added that he has been vocal against McCain’s release, urging the Parole Committee to keep him incarcerated. “They seem to value an ideology that unfortunately comes at the expense of our community’s safety,” he stated.
Another local representative echoed these concerns, insisting that the entire parole board needs to resign for consistently releasing dangerous offenders. “Their decisions have eroded public safety in New York,” he emphasized.
Following his recent arrest, McCain was charged with a misdemeanor and is currently held at the Westchester County Jail, with bail set at $25,000.
The woman involved, described as a casual acquaintance, claimed McCain groped her at the park in Cortland. State prison officials confirmed that a warrant had been issued for his return to custody pending a parole revocation hearing.
McCain was originally convicted alongside Richard Lavalbera for the murder of Bohofesky, which occurred in a horrific attack that left the girl dead in 1980.
Just to give you an idea, Bohofesky was attacked as she was heading home from a job. McCain struck her from behind, leading to a violent assault. Her body was horrifically discovered the following day.
McCain had been behind bars for about four decades before being granted parole in 2021, despite significant pushback from community leaders and victims’ families. Lavalbera was released a year earlier.
Bob Baird, a close friend of Bohofesky, expressed outrage over the situation, stating that McCain should have never been given another chance at freedom. “If not for misguided policies aiming to reduce prison populations, these men would still be behind bars,” he lamented.
State Senator Matt Slater spoke out against the parole board, stating it should be concerning to every New Yorker, especially regarding violent offenders. “This board has failed consistently, creating new victims,” he added.
Lawler condemned the decision to release McCain as irresponsible, asserting that their negligence led to another incident involving this individual. “There needs to be accountability,” he insisted.
It’s worth mentioning that many current members of the Parole Board were appointed during Governor Andrew Cuomo’s era. His successor, Governor Kathy Hochul, maintained some of these appointments, and the board has been under heavy scrutiny for its choices regarding dangerous criminals.
A spokesperson for the board commented that the members must consider a wide array of factors when deciding on releases. This includes victim statements, the offender’s criminal history, and community safety.
On his part, McCain’s defense attorney argued that the victim’s reliability is questionable and maintained that McCain has pleaded not guilty. He went on to say that McCain has been working and has lived in the same residence for years without incident.
“What happened in the past is undoubtedly alarming, but he served his time,” the attorney pointed out.
In a tragic reflection of the case, Baird expressed his commitment to advocating for the victims’ families. “These two should have faced justice and never walked free,” he concluded, characterizing McCain as an “animal” due to the nature of his crimes.
