Paula Bohovesky's Killer Paroled, Banned From Rockland County

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY—Richard LaBarbera, 67, one of the men who brutally murdered 16-year-old Paula Bohovesky as she walked home from work, is now a free man. The New York State Parole Board approved his parole for the second time. He was discharged Friday, according to prison records.

According to a spokesperson for the NY Department of Corrections and Community Supervision,LaBarbera was released from Downstate Correctional Facility several days ago and is now being supervised in New York County.

He must abide by the standard conditions of parole, as well as special conditions in which he agrees to not associate in any way with the victim’s family and will comply with geographic restrictions as directed by his parole officer.

In addition, LaBarbera's approved residence must be in compliance with a previous court order and he will be required to wear a GPS ankle monitor.

Due to those geographic restrictions, LaBarbera is not allowed to leave the five boroughs without written permission from his parole officer, and he has been directed to remain out of Rockland County.

After learning of LaBarbera's release, Rockland County Legislature Chairman Alden H. Wolfe issued the following statement:

It is hard to imagine that someone involved in such a horrific crime is out on parole at all. We in the Legislature have stood by Paula’s family for years, passing numerous resolutions in support of their efforts since 2005 and directing those measures to the people with the authority to make decisions regarding the two men found guilty of her murder.

Our support will not waver now and we will continue to demand that the killer still behind bars stays there. While the other has been released, we take some comfort, slight though it may be, in knowing that he will not be allowed to come to Rockland County, including Pearl River, where Paula’s mother, Lois, now 89, continues to reside.

The collective efforts of Rockland County’s residents have helped ensure that Mrs. Bohovesky will not have to see this parolee on the sidewalk or supermarket or anywhere else in her hometown. While many are angry or sad or feeling other emotions, we can take some solace in the fact that when evil reared up, the goodness of the people fought it back.

A parole board first approved LaBarbera's release in 2019 after he spent nearly 40 years in prison for his involvement in Bohevesky's death. However, less than three weeks after his release, he found himself back behind bars for a year for violating his parole by drinking alcohol.

LaBarbera and his accomplice, Robert McCain, were originally convicted of Bohovesky's murder on Oct. 28, 1980 and sentenced to 25-years-to-life in prison. Prior to her death, the teen had left the Pearl River Library where she worked after school, and was walking the two blocks to her home when she encountered LaBarbera and Robert McCain.

During the encounter, investigators said McCain hit Bohovesky in the head with concrete and began sexually assaulting her. When LaBarbera began to take advantage of the girl after McCain, she stirred. He then stabbed her repeatedly – killing her.

McCain currently remains behind bars. He was denied parole in June 2019; however, he has another parole hearing in June 2021.