Corbett Signs Vereb-Sponsored Crime Victims Bill

Thanks to a bill sponsored by Rep. Mike Vereb of the 150th Legislative District,  Pennsylvania's Board of Probation and Parole is now required to hear testimony from crime victims and their families before deciding to parole an inmate, Vereb's office announced Tuesday.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett signed House Bill 492 in Harrisburg on Tuesday, amending the state's Crime Victims Act. 

"This law [makes] it clear that the decision for victims or their representatives to appear and be heard by the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole is up to them, not the board," Vereb said in a press release. "Additionally, if victims or their representatives so choose, they will be able to appear by any electronic means made available by the board, such as video conference, rather than by telephone."

The bill developed out of Vereb's and others' opposition earlier this year to the parole of convicted killer Rafael Robb, who pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the death of his wife, Ellen Robb, in 2006 and was sentenced to five to ten years in prison. 

Robb's parole was originally granted after serving just over the minimum sentence, but objections from Vereb (R-150), Rep. Todd Stephens (R-151), the Montgomery County DA's office and Ellen Robb's family stalled the release. At that time, the parole board did not hear from Ellen Robb's family before granting Rafael Robb's parole.

Upon reconsideration, the parole board decided not to grant Robb's release.

"Until this law, crime victims across Pennsylvania were not being given their rights because their voices were not being truly heard under the current parole process. Luckily, that will now change thanks to this new law," District Attorney Risa Ferman said in Vereb's press release.