Community members and politicians in Rochester are calling for the rejection of Elder Parole legislation that would allow an automatic parole hearing for incarcerated individuals 55 and up who have served 15 years of their sentences.

“This cannot happen at all of course," said Judy Gifford-Tosh. 

What You Need To Know

  • Community members and politicians in Rochester are calling for the rejection of Elder Parole legislation

  • The bill allows an automatic parole hearing for incarcerated individuals 55 and up who have served 15 years of their sentences

  • The mother of 4-year-old Kali Poulton, who was murdered in 1994, and the widow of murdered RPD Officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz were among those speaking out against the legislation

She has stayed away from the cameras since the man convicted of killing her 4-year-old daughter, Kali Poulton, was sent to prison for life, until now.

"And we’re talking about letting this man back out, are you kidding me?" Tosh said. "I mean, how can society think that’s OK? Because it’s not. It’s wrong. It’s wrong. It’s wrong."

On May 23, 1994, Mark Christie abducted and murdered Kali. More than two years later, her body was discovered, and Christie admitted to the brutal details of the crime in open court.

Tosh joined the relatives of other murder victims and politicians at a news conference on Monday led by state Sen. Pam Helming calling for the rejection of the Elder Parole legislation. 

Lynn Mazurkiewicz, widow of murdered Rochester Police Officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz also spoke out.

"Violent criminals sentenced to life without parole should never be considered for parole," she said. "This bill allows those individuals that exact possibility."

“We’re here to voice our strong opposition to yet another, what I call and consider a 'pro-criminal Albany policy,'" Helming said. "[It's] a policy intended to give all incarcerated individuals without exception and without regard to the crimes they committed the opportunity for release."

Elder Parole would not guarantee parole or release. The bill is sponsored by state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal.

“Because the data shows that long prison sentences without a meaningful chance for parole don’t keep anyone safe or deter crime," said Hoylman-Sigal.

“What problem are we solving by making parole eligible 55 and up regardless of the crime?" state Sen. Rob Ortt said. "Who are we working for on this legislation? What constituent group is screaming out, you know, what we need, we need people eligible for parole regardless of sentence, including regardless of whether they served their minimum sentence. Regardless, it doesn’t matter if they served their minimum sentence handed down by a judge or a jury."

“Our prison system is basically a nursing home for around 10,000 New Yorkers currently behind bars," Hoylman-Sigal said. "That’s not a good use of taxpayer dollars when the recidivist rate is so low among individuals older than 55."

“People who support this bill, it seems to be primarily about cost and cost savings to New York taxpayers," Helman said. "I want to say that’s [expletive]. But I don’t know if I can say that with all these cameras. It’s just bologna, right? What about the cost to these families? What about the victims?"

The loved ones of the victims of some of the area’s worst crimes are not standing by quietly as lawmakers consider the legislation.

“This person could allegedly be back out on the street by 55," Mazurkiewicz said. "My husband didn’t make it to 55. I resent that, quite a lot actually. He was ambushed with no regard to his life or our family’s lives."

“He already gave me a life sentence to live with my life with her," Tosh said. "So therefore, as far as I’m concerned, he should never see the light of day again. He should be incarcerated until they carry him out in a body bag. That’s what I think should happen."