Pearl River Teen's 2nd Killer Paroled

PEARL RIVER, NY — Robert McCain, one of two men who killed Paula Bohovesky in 1980, will be released from prison later this summer.

McCain and his accomplice Richard LaBarbera were convicted of Bohovesky's murder and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. The teen had left the Pearl River Library where she worked after school, and was walking the two blocks to her home when they saw her from a bar, followed and attacked.

The news of the state parole board's decision on McCain angered and saddened people in the community who have fought for years to keep the two men in jail. LaBarbera was paroled in 2019.

McCain is 60 and LaBarbera 68 — still young enough to do damage, Paula's mother Lois told The Journal News.

"The P4P team now will await more detail and again attempt to influence his placement within New York state to protect Lois and her family. Thanks for your support over these 16 years, stay tuned for further updates," organizers of Petition For Paula wrote on Facebook.

Rockland County Executive Ed Day released a statement:

Robert McCain, the initial assailant of Paula Bohovesky, is a monster who does not deserve to walk free on our streets while our community still suffers from the loss and pain he caused. He committed murder, a crime of permanency, and should be permanently in jail.

I find it extremely disturbing that a man who has expressed no remorse and has never taken responsibility for his crimes is given more latitude than the victim of those heinous acts. Unfortunately, this is not the first time that the Parole Board has slapped the people of New York State and Rockland County in the face.

I urge the Parole Board to restrict McCain from ever setting foot in Rockland County, and I pray that he is closely monitored so that no further innocents are harmed by this monster.