Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan (R,C-Manchester) has joined Assembly Republican Leader Will Barclay (R,C-Pulaski), Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt (R,C-North Tonawanda), and other lawmakers to demand stronger oversight of the New York State Parole Board.
Since 2017, the parole board has released 41 individuals convicted of killing police officers. Another cop killer, Mitchell Martin, who killed NYPD Officer James Whittington in 1982, is scheduled for a parole hearing on June 11, 2024.
Gallahan expressed his concerns, stating, “We are seeing cop killers’ rights prioritized over those of New York citizens and law enforcement. This is unacceptable. We need immediate changes to prevent more early releases of cop killers.”
Gallahan emphasized that NYPD Officer James Whittington deserved better and called the potential parole of his killer reprehensible. He represents the 131st Assembly District, which includes parts of Ontario, Seneca, Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Broome, and Chenango counties.
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