James Moore, the longest serving inmate in New York State, was released on parole on Tuesday after being convicted of the murder of 14-year-old Pamela Moss over fifty years ago.
Back in 1962, Moore pled guilty to first-degree murder for raping and strangling the young girl from Penfield. He unsuccessfully negotiated bail on 20 occasions. Moore, now 88-years-old, does not have an approved post-release residence at this time.
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Reaction from local leaders, parole reform advocates
Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley has remained strong in her opposition to Moore’s release.
“For years, my predecessors, District Attorney Howard Relin and District Attorney Michael Green, and I have vehemently opposed the release of James Moore,” said Doorley, according to Democrat & Chronicle.
Jose Saldana, director of the Release Aging People in Prison Campaign, expressed support for granting parole to elderly inmates, though he did not address Moore’s release in particular.
“While we cannot speak to the specifics of every case, the data is clear that older adults released from prison, including those previously convicted of serious crimes, have the lowest risk of recidivism. We support the independence of the Parole Board and any decision to release those who pose no threat to public safety,” said Saldana.
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Release scheduled for June
Officials said Moore will be released to parole supervision around June 6, 2022. He is currently being held at the Coxsackie Correctional Facility in Greene County.
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