The highly controversial state parole board of New York recently saw the induction of four new members. The appointments were the handiwork of the state’s governor, Kathy Hochul. One of the new appointees that stands out is Daniel O’Donnell, a former assemblyman. Despite the negative public sentiment towards the board’s recent rulings, the governor appears to be making little effort to overhaul its perceptibly criminal-appeasing operations.
In the most recent legislative session, the state senate sneakily confirmed all four of Hochul’s appointees. Two of the nominations were meant to address longstanding vacancies, while the other two were intended to substitute members originally appointed by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, whose tenures had already ended. Until recently, the majority of the board constituted Cuomo’s appointees, which can be attributed partly to Hochul’s lack of urgency to leave her mark on the board.
Despite the new additions to the board, it is highly doubtful that they would bring about significant changes to the panel notorious for showing leniency towards criminals. It has been criticized for its role in the release of forty-three individuals convicted of murder of police officers within just the past eight years. The number could have been higher had it not been for a recent decision to postpone the release of a notorious gang member, David McClary, who was convicted for the murder of Police Officer Edward Byrne, until after the Democratic mayoral primary.
Political insiders speculate that the delay in McClary’s parole was a strategic move to avert any potential embarrassment that could impact Cuomo’s image, who is considered more stringent on crime than his fellow party members. The new members appointed by Hochul, who will each earn a whopping $190,000 for their part-time services, don’t seem likely to change the controversial style of the board.
Among Hochul’s picks, the left-leaning former Assemblyman Danny O’Donnell, bears mention. His career history includes time spent as a public defender. Also appointed is Darlene Grant Bruce who is an active member at a West Harlem non-profit that provides community services. Elizabeth Kase, another appointee, is a defense attorney with a specialization in cannabis law and a partner at the politically connected firm, Abrams Fensterman.
Jose Gomérez, one of the newly appointed members, remains a puzzling choice. Gomérez, an NYPD veteran, was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. His resignation from his post as the Newburgh police commissioner in May 2024 after less than three years in service left many surprised.
The reality of the situation is that the Senate most likely would not have given the green light to any parole board nominees who might advocate for stricter measures. It appears resistant, for instance, to the governor’s attempts to prevent the state courts from leaning further to the left. Increased efforts from the legislature to make parole more accessible, coupled with the passing of the ‘Less is More’ law in 2021, which Hochul signed during her initial tenure as governor, has unfortunately facilitated the process for parole violators to evade imprisonment.
The consensus is that Hochul has either been unwilling or unable to resist the left-leaning practices that have been normalized in the state’s criminal justice system. Given the current situation, it is expected that the release of the officer murderer, Byrne, from prison is imminent, and a consistent flow of released criminals, including those convicted of murdering law enforcement officers, can be anticipated.
Until New Yorkers begin demanding candidates willing to uphold law and order, this regrettable reality is liable to persist. The state continues to grapple with the effects of the criminal justice policies that favor the perpetrators more than the innocent victims.
Hochul, it seems, may still be in the process of finding her footing in the state’s complex political climate, perhaps which is why she hasn’t attempted to put her imprint on critical areas such as these yet. However, public sentiment suggests that the existing paradigm will need to change if the safety and security of the state’s citizens are to be ensured.
Yet, it’s also essential to consider that Hochul may be operating under political constraints, especially with a progressive-dominated state Senate that would likely reject any nominee they perceive to be overly harsh on crime. This could be a factor influencing her choices and her conspicuous lack of action in amending the function of the Parole Board.
The ongoing discussion about the future direction of New York’s criminal justice policies cannot be complete without also addressing the ‘soft’ stance towards crime that has been gaining traction not just in the state, but also nationwide. Until there is a reckoning with this broader trend, change at the level of the New York state Parole Board is unlikely.
The seemingly copacetic attitude towards the convicted cop-killers exhibited by the Parole Board has been a major source of concern for citizens and law enforcement units alike. The recent appointments to the Board, sadly, do not signal a potential shift in this approach thereby raising questions about Hochul’s intentions and strategy.
The state of New York currently finds itself in a state of uncertainty, where the scales of justice have to be balanced carefully. The recent nominations to the parole board and consequent public sentiment portray a troubling image of the state’s current approach to justice.
Ultimately, the conversation continues to return to the citizens of New York. If these are not the outcomes they hoped for, then maybe it’s time for their voices to be heard more loudly to initiate a change in policies related to criminal justice.
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