Rockland Officials Demand Teen's Murderer Be Kept Out Of County

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — After news broke of the New York State Parole Board's decision to release Robert McCain, one of the killers of Pearl River teen Paula Bohovesky in 1980, Rockland officials swung into action to keep McCain far away from the county. SEE: Pearl River Teen's 2nd Killer Paroled

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

The news of the parole board's decision on McCain angered and saddened people in the community who fought for years to keep the two men in jail, just as they were furious when LaBarbera was paroled in 2019.

"I can only imagine the pain that Paula Bohovesky’s mother, brother and supporters are enduring as the second person convicted in her heinous death is about to be set free," said Rockland Legislative Chairman Alden Wolfe.

At the time of the murder, McCain was a drifter and career criminal from Arkansas, while LaBarbera was an Orangetown resident. When released in 2019, LaBarbera was directed to remain out of Rockland County.

"We now need to work to keep McCain away from the Bohovesky family," Wolfe said. "The Legislature will call upon the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to impose strict conditions to keep McCain far from Paula’s family. He should not be allowed to live in Pearl River or anywhere else in or near Rockland County."

County Executive Ed Day said he found it disturbing that a man who had expressed no remorse or taken responsibility for his crimes was given parole.

"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," Day said, referring not only to LaBarbera's release but also the infamous 1981 robbery of $1.6 million from a Brink's truck in which a guard and two police officers were killed.

SEE:

• Deadly Brinks Robbery Getaway Driver Pardoned
• Prosecutor Son Seeks Father's Release In Fatal Brink's Heist

"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," Day said.

Day and Assemblyman Mike Lawler are holding a news conference Thursday regarding McCain's release.

"The fact that Robert McCain and Richard LaBarbera are walking free makes me sick to my stomach," Lawler said. "That’s why I’ve introduced Paula’s Law, which would guarantee a life sentence without parole for anyone that sexually assaults and kills a child under the age of 18."

SEE ALSO: Parole or Punishment