A mother from New Jersey, Maria Montalvo, who was convicted of killing her two young children by burning them, might soon see her prison sentence reduced. This change comes after former Governor Phil Murphy commuted her sentence as he left office, prompting considerable backlash.
Montalvo, who was serving a hefty 100-year sentence for the deaths of her 18-month-old daughter and 28-month-old son in 1996, may now have a shot at parole at age 61. Reports indicate that Murphy’s decision allows her a potential early release.
Her attorney, Josh Hood, mentioned that despite this new avenue for release, he plans to pursue a new trial to challenge Montalvo’s conviction.
Before Murphy’s intervention, Montalvo wouldn’t have had a chance at parole until 2054, when she would be 90 years old. Now, she might be able to make her case to the state parole board soon.
This decision from Murphy faced immediate criticism from Monmouth County prosecutors and even some fellow Democrats in New Jersey. Many expressed their “anger and disgust” over the commutation.
State Senator Vin Gopal, along with U.S. Representatives Margie Donlan and Luann Peterpole, expressed disbelief at the decision. They issued a joint statement saying it was, quite frankly, incomprehensible.
Raymond Santiago, the Monmouth County prosecutor, called the reduced sentence “the antithesis of justice,” expressing profound disbelief and disgust from his office upon hearing about the commutation.
Santiago recounted Montalvo’s actions when she filled a container with gasoline before arriving at her in-laws’ home, where she allegedly splashed it on her children before igniting a fire that led to their tragic deaths.
Prosecutors had previously suggested that her motivation for such a horrific act stemmed from her husband wanting to end their relationship. However, Montalvo’s defense claimed it was an accident related to her trying to light a cigarette in the car.
Interestingly, both Montalvo and her husband were reported to have sustained serious burns during the incident. In a recent statement, Hood argued that Montalvo deserves another chance. He emphasized that her commutation followed careful review, considering her long incarceration and efforts at rehabilitation while in prison.
Murphy’s actions, among others, were part of a last-minute clemency effort that included 148 pardons. Following this move, the Democratic Party, now under former Representative Mikie Sherrill, didn’t specifically address Montalvo’s case in their response.
Murphy stated, as he departed, that granting clemency was a significant honor during his governorship and a testament to the importance of combining responsibility with compassion for a just society.
